Georgia’s “Fire Educator of The Year” dies from Cancer Complications

November, 2002

Wayne County – E. Garland Evors of Jesup, a fifty-year-old firefighter and Captain of Rescue died Friday, October 18, 2002 in Jesup, Georgia.  He was a 19-year veteran of the Glynn County Fire Department. His funeral was held on Monday, October 20^th at the Jesup Church of God.  Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home in Jesup was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Evors was best known to school children as “Smoke House Willy,” a clown character he played as a clown in fire safety and fire prevention classes.  He had also helped formed the Georgia Firefighters Clown Society more than a decade ago.  There are now over 400 clowns around the state, which teach fire safety through clowning.

He was known throughout the state of Georgia as simply “Georgia’s Fire Educator of the Year.”   It was said that wherever he traveled he always knew someone and never met a stranger.  Capt. Evors is not only missed by his family, members of the Glynn County Fire Department but by many throughout the state of Georgia.  Although he was a firefighter first, Capt Evors had a heart for children.  His yearly vacations coincided with summer camps for children who are burn victims and he took part in many other activities, which centered on young people.

He was an avid musician, singer and songwriter.  He was named Georgia’s Fire Safety Educator of the Year in 2001.  He also hosted a weekly radio talk show, “Fire Side Chat,” which is said to be one of the only talk shows in the country, which promotes fire safety education to its listening audience. 

Evors was diagnosed with a brain tumor just after being promoted to Captain of Rescue in Glynn County last winter.  He had to leave the department immediately to undergo treatment.  Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy took their toll on Capt. Evors but had done little to slow down his mind and dampen his spirits. 

Mr. Evors was given a full firefighter’s funeral.  It was said by Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home that Mr. Evor’s funeral was by far the most people received at their facility for a funeral.  It was estimated that over one hundred firefighters were on hand and many Fire Departments throughout the state of Georgia paid their last respects at the service. He is and will continue to be missed.

Surviving are his wife, Glenda Morgan Evors of Jesup; two sons, Chadly Garland Evors and John Lewis Evors, both of Jesup; his mother, Mary Evors of Jesup; brothers and sisters, June Reddish, Lacy Evors, Fred Evors, Kenny Evors and Willie Evors, all of Jesup; a half-brother, Daniel O’Neal of Honolulu.