James L. Ayers

James "Jim" L. Ayers, of Washington, KS, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at the Homestead Nursing Home in Washington. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. Pastor John Frey officiated. Sheila Ouellette played the organ while Ed Durst sang “What a Day That Will Be” and “Go Rest High on That Mountain”. Other music included “Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World” and “Dust in the Wind”. The pallbearers were Scott Weber, D.J. Ayers, David Weber, Shannon DeVol, Kelsey Frager, Chantel Cherney and Christopher Ayers. Burial was in the Washington City Cemtery. Jim was born July 25, 1956 at Washington to Lester and Shirley (Johnson) Ayers. He graduated from Washington High School in 1974 and attended photography school in Wichita. Jim worked pipeline construction with WRD Pipeline, in Iowa. In 1978 Jim joined BN Railroad and held numerous tele-communication positions including lineman, cable splicer and electronic technician. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the railroad accommodated him by assigning him to do computer work with a field engineer, assembling a data base on microwave antennas. In 1996, he moved back to Washington and continued his work in data base entry. Jim enjoyed collecting coins, railroad memorabilia and following the stock market. He was preceded in death by his sister, Leigh DeVol; step-mother, Bernice Ayers; and niece, Donna June Ayers. Survivors include his mother, Shirley Walter and husband Charles, Washington; father, Lester Ayers, Washington; son, Nathan Ayers and wife Sarah, Castle Rock, Washington; daughter Jessica Ayers, Tennessee; brother, David Ayers and wife Becky, Tonganoxie, Kansas; sister, Shirley Frager and husband Gerry, Morrowville; stepbrothers, Chuck Walter and wife Michelle, Washington, Jim Esslinger and wife Alice, Marysville; stepsisters, Tammy Kuehn, Washington, JoAnn Rose and husband Dewayne, Mahaska; and grandchildren, Micah, John, Rayanna and Keian; and nieces and nephews. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James L. Ayers, please visit our flower store.