William B. Ayres, a resident of Burlington for the past 1 1/2 years, passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, WA at the age of 86 years. He was born on July 12, 1918 in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, the son of Byron and Mabel Myers Ayres.
He grew up in the Muskogee, OK area later moving away when he joined the U.S. Navy at age 24. He served as a Pharmacist Mate during WWII aboard ship in the Pacific Ocean and spent a considerable amount of time in Australia. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he settled in Washington and worked as a logger. While working as a logger in Marblemount, he met and married Lois Stafford on December 9, 1955 in Sedro-Woolley. As a young married couple, they moved to the Grays Harbor area, living in Hoquiam, and Montesano where William worked at various logging jobs until working for Weyerhaeuser Timber Co until his retirement in 1981. During his years on the Harbor, William enjoyed many outdoor activities including deer hunting, digging razor clams, salmon fishing, picking wild blackberries, playing bingo, growing a large garden for his family and friends, and raising cattle on the family farm in the Wynoochee Valley. In 2003 the couple moved back to the Skagit Valley residing in Burlington.
He is survived by his wife, Lois of the family home in Burlington. His children, Chuck Ayres and his wife, Cheryl of San Juan Capistrano, CA, Stan Ayres and his companion Patty of Crescent, OR, Linda Johnson and her husband, Billy of Muskogee, OK, and Debbie Hebert and her husband, Chuck of Bend, OR. 6 grandchildren, Shannon, Nicholas, Kristin, Kelsey, Gabe, and Corey. 3 brothers, Fred Ayres of Lancaster, CA, John Ayres of Orville, WA, and Don Ayers of California. Numerous nieces and nephews. 3 sisters-in-law, Ruth Case and her husband, Jim of Marblemount, Flora Woodring and her husband, Richard of Sedro-Woolley, and Mary Anderson and her husband, George of Burlington and 2 brothers-in-law, Jerry Stafford of Bellingham, and John Stafford of Montana. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, and 6 sisters.
Visitation will be available Friday and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Lemley Chapel and Sunday by appointment. Graveside Services will be Monday, March 21, 2005 at 11:00 AM at the Lyman Cemetery with Mr. Gary Quick of Wrightwood, CA officiating. Military Honors will be provided by George Baldridge Post #43, American Legion. Services and arrangements under the care of Lemley Chapel.