William F. 'Bill' Ayers

LODI - William F. “Bill” Ayers, much beloved husband, father and friend to all who knew him, died unexpectedly at age 81 on September 28th, 2012, at his home in Harmony Grove, Wisconsin. He was born in Madison, WI, the eldest son of Stanley Delbert Ayers and Lillian Theresa Zeppelin Ayers. He was a proud graduate of the class of ’49 in Mt. Horeb, WI, where he married his sweetheart and love of his life, Joan Elaine Moe of Town of Vermont, Black Earth, WI. Bill & Joan would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on January 24th, 2013. Bill proudly worked for the electrical utilities of Mt. Horeb, Hazel Green and Lodi, WI; followed by 21 years for Advanced Temperature Technicians of Madison, WI until his retirement. Someone who loved and excelled at discovering how things work, Bill and his wife Joan, were avid attendees of the annual EAA air shows for over 30 years; charter members of Yellow Thunder Snowmobiler Club, U.S. travelers, lovers of nature and history and family. Bill instilled his passion for life in all who knew him. He was especially proud of his restoration of his father’s 1941 John Deere tractor and other creative hobbies. Bill and Joan were also dedicated volunteers and expert Norwegian lefse makers for their church. Family and friends meant everything to Bill & Joan. Bill is survived by wife Joan Ayers, Lodi, WI; daughter Debra Ayers (Greg DePrince), Santa Fe, NM; daughter Darlene (Tim) Ryan, Lodi, WI; son Gregory (Angie) Ayers, Baraboo, WI; sister Jeanne (Dean) Hefty, Mt. Horeb, WI; sister Jennifer (Ron) Spielman, Monroe, WI; brother Russell (Sandra) Ayers, Detroit, MI; grandchildren Drew (Kristin), Jared & Bryce Ryan; Brianna, Jessica (Kyle) Lord & Erick Ayers; step-grandchildren Jessica DePrince, Jessi Braddock, Crystal (Joe) Van Wie, Craig Siedschlag; great-grandchild Broderick William Ryan and step-great-grandchild Brooklyn Wilke. Bill was preceded in death by his 2nd daughter, Vicki Joan Ayers. Funeral services will be held at Dekorra Lutheran Church, N3099 Smith Road, Poynette, WI on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 11:00 am with internment at Dekorra Lutheran Cemetery. A reception will follow internment at Dekorra Lutheran. A visitation will be held Tuesday, October 2, 2012 from 4-7:00 pm at Hamre Gunderson Funeral Home, 157 S. Main St., Lodi, WI and prior to the funeral at Dekorra Lutheran Church on Wednesday from 10-11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Dekorra Lutheran Memorial Fund, N3099 Smith Road, Poynette, WI 53955-9435; 608-635-7200. The family gives special thanks to EMS Services of Lodi & Divine Savior as well as Officer Emily Morgan. Cemetery: Internment at Dekorra Lutheran Cemetery. A reception will follow internment at Dekorra Lutheran. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Dekorra Lutheran Memorial Fund, N3099 Smith Road, Poynette, WI 53955-9435; 608-635-7200. A visitation will be held Tuesday, October 2, 2012 from 4-7:00 pm at Hamre Gunderson Funeral Home in Lodi, WI and prior to the funeral at Dekorra Lutheran Church on Wednesday from 10-11:00 am. Funeral services will be held at Dekorra Lutheran Church, N3099 Smith Road, Poynette, WI on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 11:00 am with internment at Dekorra Lutheran Cemetery. A reception will follow internment at Dekorra Lutheran. A visitation will be held Tuesday, October 2, 2012 from 4-7:00 pm at Hamre Gunderson Funeral Home, 157 S. Main St., Lodi, WI and prior to the funeral at Dekorra Lutheran Church from 10-11:00 am.