James E. “Jim” Ayers, 61, of Harrisville passed away at 10 p.m. Thursday at his residence following an extended illness.

Born May 23, 1955, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Meryl and Vera Ayers.

Jim was a 1973 graduate of the Moniteau School District, and became a member of the carpenter's union in 1977. He was then employed by Stevens-Painton Corp. for more than 18 years as a construction supervisor. He retired Dec. 11, 2004.

He and his loving wife, Becky, are proud to have visited 49 of 50 states of the union, somehow only missing Delaware.

Surviving are his wife Becky Ellenberger Ayers, whom he married June 15, 1979; his favorite little dog and family member, Pepper; two brothers, John (Lisa) Ayers of Grove City and Rick (Val) Ayers of Barkeyville; two sisters-in-law: Dr. Sheila Ellenberger of Cambridge, Ohio, and Edee Ellenberger of Bakersfield, Calif.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Joe and Mark Ayers; and one brother-in-law, Charles “Chuck” Ellenberger.

AYERS — Friends of James E. “Jim” Ayers, who died Thursday, March 30, 2017, may call from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home, 201 S. Washington St., Eau Claire, where a celebration of life will occur at 4 p.m.Private entombment will be conducted Monday morning at Greenlawn Burial Estates in Mt. Chestnut, Butler.Jim held a passion for care of American Indians, so he requested in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to First Nations Development Institute at www.firstnations.org.To view or send condolences, sympathy cards visit www.buzardfuneralhomes.com