Evanson attended the public schools of Kingfisher, Okla., where he began study of the euphonium. He later moved to Muskogee, where he continued his involvement in band as a trombone player. In 1942, Evanson entered high school in Sapulpa, where he excelled in band, sang in choir, acted in school plays, and played basketball and football. At his graduation ceremony in 1945, his father accepted his diploma, as Evanson had to report for basic training in the Army Air Force. During the last months of World War II, Wendell worked as a cryptographer at Langley Air Force base. He was discharged as a corporal in 1946, and with the G.I. Bill he entered the University of Arkansas. After a short tenure there, he transferred to Hendrix College, as a music major, graduating in 1950 with a bachelor of arts degree.
