Col. George William "Bill USMC Retired" Ayers

Col. George William "Bill" Ayers (USMC Retired)

Warriors who have made the commitment to defend the "Scarlet and Gold" are familiar with the axiom "Once a Marine, Always a Marine."

Retired United States Marine Corps Col. George William (Bill) Ayers epitomized the life of a Marine and who lived by the credo shed his mortal uniform on Oct. 1, 2025, after a brief illness.

At his ascension into Heaven's Gate, Bill was 85. The son of George and Mildred Ayers-both of whom preceded him in death-was instilled at an early age to serve his country when the world around him was in turmoil. Born four days before Christmas of 1939 when Europeans were still reeling from the surprise Nazi invasion into Poland, young Bill would grow up along side his only sister Suzanne in a military community in the Virginia tidewater called Portsmouth.

As an anxious teenager in a Navy town, Bill begged his parents to allow him to join the United States Marine Corps. His mother, who carried more clout than a USMC recruitment officer or drill instructor challenged her only son before acquiescing by saying "you need to get a college degree before you join the USMC." So Bill enrolled--and would--eventually graduate from Richmond-based Virginia Commonwealth University where he entered the Platoon Leadership Class. Upon graduation, Bill became a commissioned USMC officer and would serve in command positions in Vietnam and other world conflicts during his 31 years of active duty.

Bill earned many service awards including the Legion of Merit. After his retirement from the USMC, Bill continued his service to our country by serving in the South Carolina State Guard attaining the rank of general and held esteemed positions in academia.

Dr. George W. Ayers, Ph.D, LCSW, was appointed as an Assistant Professor of Social Work in 2009. Bill had a long career in Public Mental Health, beginning in 1966 and ending in retirement in 2003, when he retired from his position as Deputy Director of Education Training and Research with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. Bill also held a position as a Professor of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Bill was awarded the Order of the Palmetto (the state's highest award for service) by the Governor of South Carolina upon his retirement.

Bill also had a long career with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve concurrent with his professional career. He retired from the Marine Corps Reserve in 1991 following service in the first Gulf War, at which time he developed a prevention program for Post Traumatic Disorder. He received the Legion of Merit for this service.

Bill's research interests were in the area of PTSD and the military family. He published eighteen articles in professional journals and one book.

Bill always remained a Marine becoming involved in various military non profits in his adopted home town of Swansboro such as the Marine Corps League, Carolina Museum of the

Marine and the Swansboro Area Chamber of Commerce.

He also served in leadership positions in his Swans Bluff Home Owners Association.

Bill is survived by his wife of 41 years, Melissa, a marriage consummated by vows exchanged in Savannah, Ga. On June 16, 1984. His memory is also cherished by his sister Suzanne Ayers of Swansboro, N.C. Bill was a member of the St. Andrew Episcopal Church of Morehead City, N.C.

Bill's service is slated for Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, beginning at 11 a.m. at Jones Funeral Home in

Swansboro.

In Lieu of flowers, please direct donations to the Carolina Museum of the Marine, 155 Brynn Marr Rd. Suite 100, Jacksonville, N.C. 28540.