Evan Carleton Willnow, 58, died Thursday, May 12, after a three-year battle with brain cancer.  He died peacefully in his home in Collinsville with his family at his side.

Evan was born in Jefferson City on March 27, 1964.  He moved to St. Louis two years later, where he attended University City schools, graduating from University City High School in 1982.  After receiving an associate degree in art from St. Louis Community College, he began a career in advertising as a graphics artist. He was in the field for 30 years. His artistic ability and computer knowledge made him a go-to person in the agencies for which he worked. Most recently, he worked for HLK. His computer expertise made him very popular among friends and relatives and one stereo store, which he aided for more than 20 years.

Evan was known for his sense of humor, for his sunshiny demeanor and for his devotion to the Blues hockey team.  In his spare time, he wrote thriller novels.  Two have been published, Mightier Than the Sword and Zero In Zero Out.  A third novel was about three quarters completed when he died.

Evan and his wife Elizabeth had been married 30 years.  They had one daughter, Zoe Fort.  Besides his wife and daughter, he was survived by his father, Ronald Willnow, his step mother, Ann Watts, his son-in-law,  Brennon Fort, two  brothers, Lindle of Beverly MA and Randall of Fort Worth TX, and bonus brother, Blair Watts of St. Louis. He was preceded in death by his mother, Onnalee Willnow.

Visitation will be held from 9 am to 1 pm June 4 at Willoughby Farm in Collinsville, with a memorial program beginning at 10 am.  In lieu of flowers , please send donations to either Siteman Cancer Center, 4921 Parkview, Saint Louis MO 63110, or Treehouse Wildlife Center, 23956 Green Acres, IL 62022.