Jay Max "Pete" Ayers, 82

Mr. Jay Max "Pete" Ayers, 82, of Sunshine, died Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at his home. He was the son of the late George and Daisy Ayers  He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Wilma E. "Bobbie" Long Ayers, and also a brother, Jack Ayers.
Pete married his high school sweet, Bobbie, in June of 1953.  He joined the Air Force after his marriage to Bobbie, and served from 1953-1966.  During his service in the Air Force, and he had assignments in the Philippines and the Pentagon. He served at the pentagon during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Pete also worked a second job in at a small start up company which went on to be known as IBM.  In 1966, he enlisted in the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer.  His duties included service in Karlsruhe and Stuttgart, Germany.  He also served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.  His Army career spanned from 1966-1988 when he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4), the highest rank available for a data processing.
Pete was a dedicated and loving husband to Bobbie until her death in 2005. He loved God, his family and serving his Country.  He was a devoted and loving father.  Pete never met stranger and never missed an opportunity to crack a joke.  He loved to innocently flirt with ladies in his life, while at dialysis, restaurants, and barbershop, which he visited on a frequent basis.
He is survived by his  2 daughters, Debra Ayers and husband Coy, of Sunshine, and Robin Bennett and husband William, of Jacksonville, FL; his 2 sons, Jerry Ayers and wife Gloria of Spotsylvania, VA, and George Ayers and wife Judy, of Stafford, VA; his sister, Linda Eacho of Bostic, NC; his 4 brothers, Sherrill Ayers and Lox Ayers both of Bostic, NC, Ray Ayers of Satellite Beach, FL, and James Ayers and wife Mary Ruth, of Rutherfordton, NC.; two brothers-in-law, Robert (Buster) Long and wife Marilyn, and Roy Long; both of Bostic NC.  He was blessed with 6 grandchildren, Melanie and husband Dan Barron, Mathew and wife Veronica Ayers, Shana and husband Patrick Keith, Ashley Ayers and wife Leigh Williams, Jason and wife Jordan Ayers, and Nichole Bennett.  He also has 6 great grandchildren, Helen Laguerta, Max Laguerta, Emma Lou Barron, Owen Keith, Liam Ayers, and June Ayers; a sister-in-law, Emma Sue Ayers; and his devoted caregiver, Tonya Jackson.
Visitation will be from 1:45 pm until 2:45 Sunday at Cedar Grove Church fellowship hall prior to the service. Funeral will be conducted at 3:00 pm Sunday, October 22, 2017 at Cedar Grove United Methodist Church. The Rev. Greg Dickens will officiate and Christopher Ayers will provide a Eulogy. Burial with Military Rites will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers are George Ayers, Jason Ayers, Brian Long, Roy Long, Chris Byers, and Dale Beheler.
Memorials may be made to the Cedar Grove UMC Cemetery Fund, 160 Toney Road, Bostic, NC 28018.
Washburn & Dorsey Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences @www.washburndorsey.com.