Leonard Obediah Ayers

Leonard Obediah Ayers passed away at home on Monday, December 13, 2021. He was born August 15, 1945, in Commerce, Georgia, to John Willard and Pearl Dalton Ayers.

He graduated from Banks County High School in 1963. He enlisted in the US Army in 1966, where he served with the military police, specializing in sentry dog handling with his trusted partner, Shep. In 1967, he was assigned to Fort Wolters where he guarded the Nike Missile site. While serving there, he met and married Delores June Bolton, in 1968. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he began a 35 ½ year career with the Mineral Wells Police Department retiring as Deputy Chief of Police in 2004.

Never being one to enjoy too much leisure time, he spent his off-duty hours working private security and running his mowing and plowing business. When he was not working, he liked to hunt, practice his marksmanship, and watch old westerns on TV, especially his hero, Marshal Matthew Dillon.

In June of 2018, he lost his wife, Delores, after celebrating their 50^th anniversary in February of that year. He was also preceded in death by his parents, John and Pearl Ayers, brother, Willard Ayers, and sisters, Francine Garrison, Gwynola Robinson, and Ann Lee.

He is survived by daughters, Anita Brian, Genia Glover and husband, Bob, sons, William Ayers, David Ayers and wife, Stephanie, and his very best friend, Jerry Wayne Fowler and wife, Tammy, grandchildren, Bailey Cole, Samantha Schreiber, Stephanie Goldsmith, Mandy Rhodes, Katie Drake, Andy Ayers, and Ellen Ayers, 10 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Baum-Carlock Bumgardner Funeral Home on Sunday, December 19^th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Services will be at the Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church on Monday, December 20^th, at 2:00 p.m. The church is located at 2731 FM 129, Santo, TX.

Leonard will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but we are thankful that he is pain-free and at rest with his Savior.