Harold Ayers

Harold "Hal" James Ayers Wenatchee, WA Harold "Hal" James Ayers was born to Vincent H. Ayers and Kathryn Ham Ayers on July 17, 1923, in Stockton, CA. He lived his younger years in the San Joaquin Valley, and at the age of 16, he joined the National Guard. In March of 1941, he was inducted into the army, completed basic training at Camp Lewis, and was stationed in Hawaii. While there, his musical talent with the tuba and the string bass were discovered, and he was invited to join the 284th Army Band, where he once played for President Roosevelt. His love for music remained with him throughout his life. After his honorable discharge from the military in 1945, he returned to California to marry his sweetheart, Bette. He became a firefighter with the Stockton Fire Department. After 12 years, a trip to Wenatchee to visit his wife's father convinced them to move north. They settled in the Wenatchee Valley in 1957, where he and Bette raised their four children. He eventually became a Fire Inspector for the Wenatchee Fire Department, retiring from the department in 1971. He stayed busy in his retirement, operating his own fire extinguisher service business and co-managing properties. In his later years, he drew from his musical talents again to teach himself to play the organ. He loved to share the bounty from his large garden, as well as camping, fishing, and traveling with Bette and the grandchildren, who affectionately called him Grump, a name that stuck with him for life. Bette was the love of his life, and they were married 65 years until her passing in 2010. Hal leaves behind daughters, Sandi (Bud) Boswell, Judi (Bill) Badgley, Susie (Bob) Billstein; and son, Jim (Sue) Ayers; nine grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed. Hal's Celebration of Life Service will be held at Telford's Chapel Of The Valley, 711 Grant Road, East Wenatchee, WA., on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 10:30 a.m. The family suggests contributions to "Wounded Warriors", in Hal's name. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Harold Ayers

July 17, 1923 - October 3, 2015