Robert Wesley Ayers

Robert Wesley Ayers

July 4, 1934 – August 6, 2025

Robert "Bobby" Wesley Ayers, 91, of Fuquay-Varina, NC, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, August 6.

Born on July 4, 1934, in Bedford, VA, Bobby was the son of the late William Herbert Ayers and Lillie Florine Bragg Ayers. A true patriot, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1951–1955 during the Korean War as an aviation electronics technician.

After his military service, Bobby graduated from Capital Radio Engineering Institute in Washington, D.C., in 1959. His career began with Frederick Research Corporation (1959–1964), where he traveled across the United States testing interference at U.S. Air Force radar stations. From 1964–1972, he worked in Thailand for Atlantic Research Corp., conducting jungle studies, and later for IBM Corp. as an assistant facility engineer.

In 1972, Bobby returned to the United States, settling in Tucson, AZ, where he worked as a hardware security systems engineer for Arizona Sentinel. His adventurous spirit then led him back to Southeast Asia from 1974–1981, working as a radio technician for McDermott International.

In 1982, Bobby co-founded Virginia Sentinel Inc. with his late brother-in-law, Allan Grahame, and served as co-owner until 1997. After selling the company and enjoying a few years of retirement, he returned to work for Virginia Sentinel Inc. with the new owner, Darrik Spaulding, until he finally retired in April 2012.

Bobby was a lifelong member of Main Street United Methodist Church in Bedford, VA, where he faithfully served on numerous committees over the years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Janice Webb Ayers; three sons, Patrick Ayers of San Francisco, CA, John Ayers (Tiffany) of Haymarket, VA, and Michael Ayers (Jennifer) of Aldie, VA; one daughter, Catherine Ayers Haskins (George) of Holly Springs, NC; and six cherished grandchildren: Addison Ayers, Hayden Ayers, Sydney Ayers, Lillie Belle Haskins, Lincoln Ayers, and Liam Haskins. He is also survived by two sisters, Joanne Ayers Grahame of Lynchburg, VA, and Patsy Ayers Dooley (Don) of Ocala, FL.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Sue Ayers Dick and Angie Ayers Patterson, both of Bedford, VA, and one brother, William Herbert Ayers Jr. of Ashland, VA.

A memorial service celebrating Bobby's life will be held at Main Street United Methodist Church, 212 East Main St., Bedford, VA, on Saturday, August 16, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends afterward at the Peaks of Otter Lodge.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 212 East Main Street, Bedford, VA 24523, or to a charity of your choice.