George William "Bill" Ayres

Bill passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 23, 2010 in Redding, California, a week after suffering a stroke near his home in Arcata. He was 81. Bill was born on April 1, 1929 in Lakeview, Oregon. He graduated from Oregon State University in 1951 with a B.A. degree in pharmacology. After moving to Sebastopol, California he met and married Regena Greene in 1959. They soon moved to Arcata, Ca. where they purchased the local Rexall Drug store on the Arcata Plaza, corner of 9th & H, and raised three children. He later worked at the then newly built Mad River Hospital before being offered the position of permanent pharmacist at the newly established Humboldt State University student health center in 1980. He worked at many pharmacies in and out of Humboldt County over the years including Bazaar, Value Giant, Thrifty, Longs, Costco, Pelican Bay State Prison, Target, and Lima's, working as recently as a year before his passing, and always making new friends with his customers. Bill was fascinated by flight and was a private pilot. He studied WWII aircraft and was a member of the North Coast Vintage Aviation Society. He built and flew a private plane on his honeymoon. Bill enjoyed singing; he was a past president and current member of the Humboldt Harmonaires barbershop chorus for 32 years and seldom missed a practice or concert. He sang in his church choir and performed in a Humboldt Chorale concert in the final month of his life. He was a long time member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Arcata and served on the church building committee and on the parish council several times. Always generous, in years past he often delivered food to the poor for St. Vincent DePaul following a hard day's work. He was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, and active in many civic groups over the years including Kiwanis, Lions Club, and the Trinidad Chamber of Commerce. Bill was a kind and generous man with a good sense of humor and a very infectious smile. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his sons Tim Ayres, Arcata, and Tracy Ayres, Arlington, Vermont, and his daughter Tammy Ayres and granddaughter Nicole Rhead, both of Gardnerville, Nevada, two nieces Sandy Meyer of Wisconsin and Susan Nouacer, and first cousin Ferne Castro of San Francisco. Also, partner Carol Moore, with whom he enjoyed a vibrant loving relationship. He was predeceased by his parents, Marshall Romayne Ayres of Fort Bidwell, Ca. and Katherine E. Gregory of Nebraska , brother Marsh and sister Bonny, Audrey Munroe, and Bill's wife of 32 years, Regena. The family wishes to thank the Mercy Medical Center ICU and Canyonwood Nursing & Rehab Center, both in Redding, for their rare mix of professionalism and compassion while taking care of Bill at the end of his life. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 7th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's church, 1690 Janes Road, Arcata. Father Gerry Gromley will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's school or church or a charity of your choice. Inurnment will be in Medford, Or. at a later date. Please sign the online guestbook at www.Times-Standard.com. Click on obits.