Leland Edward Ayers

Leland Edward Ayers, 91, of Kingsbury Avenue, Towanda entered his heavenly home on June 11, 2016, after a valiant battle with a long illness. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. Leland was born in Topeka, Kansas, on July 31, 1924. As a small child, he moved to South Dakota with his mother, Myrtle Peterson where he worked tirelessly in the wheat fields on a Reservation. His father, John Sanford Ayers, took him from the Reservation and brought him East to LeRaysville, Pennsylvania, when he was just a young child. When Leland was only 11 years old, his father passed away. Having no relatives in the area and not knowing the whereabouts of his mother and whether he had any biological siblings, Leland stayed with several different families in the LeRaysville area and learned early on to be fiercely independent and that hard work was necessary to survive. His work ethics were undeniably strong and he remained that way until illness began to slow him down. He worked many jobs during his earthly lifetime, including on several area farms, as a woodsman for a tree service, doing car repair / painting for Outwater Pontiac in Wysox, at E.I. DuPont for nearly ten years and finally retiring from GTE Sylvania in February 1987, after 28 years of dedicated service. Leland never stopped working diligently to ensure his home, vehicles and lawn were immaculate. He loved to paint, and could be found at the top of a ladder even at the age of 90. Nothing slowed him down; not even the two encounters with cancer that threatened his life many years ago. He was feisty yet loving; always making time to help a neighbor, no matter the task. Leland was a lifetime member of the Towanda Elks Lodge, a member of the First United Methodist Church (Towanda), Towanda Gun Club and Senior Citizens Clubs. He volunteered each year as the auctioneer for the Senior Citizens Auctions, adding his love of laughter, his loud and proud yodeling, and his witty one-liners to the biddings. Leland especially enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing especially at Haigh’s Pond, and hunting in years’ past. More recently he thoroughly enjoyed his coffee runs with Tom House and the wonderful home cook meals he had with him and his wife, Marie. Leland was blessed with a small and loving family, whom he cherished above all others. He married his best friend, Ramona Mae Hankinson, on January 24, 1948 and together they raised two boys with humor, discipline and humility. He taught them the love of cars; Leland went to school in Buffalo for body work and was always buying / selling and tinkering on everything from a 1931 Model A to a 1958 Chevy Impala. Following the passing of his beloved wife Ramona in 1985, Leland and Donna Parsons were married on February 14, 1986, and together they shared 27 years of life until her passing in October 2013. Leland is survived by his sons Leland “Butch” & Roxanna (Arnold) Ayers of Battle Creek Rd, Rome, PA and Gary & Deborah (Campbell) Ayers of Center St., Sayre PA; his grandchildren Tonya Sue Ayers, (Towanda), Brock Bernard Ayers (Hornbrook), John Edward Ayers married to Aimee (Swan) Ayers (Gloucester, Virginia); and his great-grandchildren Zachary Jordan Ayers and Leland Edward Ayers. Also surviving family members are the Parsons family: Ralph, Rick, Danny, Bill and his son Tommy, Tracey and her daughter Brianna and Marc, Patty and Devin eland and Donna Parsons were married on February 14, 1986, and together they shared 27 years of life until her passing in October 2013. Leland is survived by his sons Leland “Butch” & Roxanna (Arnold) Ayers of Battle Creek Rd, Rome, PA and Gary & Deborah (Campbell) Ayers of Center St., Sayre PA; his grandchildren Tonya Sue Ayers, (Towanda), Brock Bernard Ayers (Hornbrook), John Edward Ayers married to Aimee (Swan) Ayers (Gloucester, Virginia); and his great-grandchildren Zachary Jordan Ayers and Leland Edward Ayers. Also surviving family members are the Parsons family: Ralph, Rick, Danny, Bill and his son Tommy, Tracey and her daughter Brianna and Marc, Patty and Devin Leland Edward Ayers, 91, of Kingsbury Avenue, Towanda entered his heavenly home on June 11, 2016, after a valiant battle with a long illness. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. A private graveside service will be held at Bradford County Memorial Park, Burlington Township, PA. The family will receive friends to memorialize and celebrate Leland’s life at the Towanda Elks Lodge from 1pm to 3pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. The family gratefully declines flowers and asks that those who wish can make a donation to Guthrie Hospice, 421 Tomahawk Road, Towanda, PA 18848 in Leland’s memory. He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his creator. Memories and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.bowenfuneralhomes.com.

Leland Edward Ayers

July 31, 1924 - June 11, 2016

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Leland Edward Ayers

July 31, 1924 - June 11, 2016

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information