Joe W. Ayers 1937-2024

Joe Weldon Ayers, 87, of Sherman, Texas, passed from this earthly life in Sherman on October 21, 2024.

He was born in Itasca, Texas to Ben Franklin Ayers and Agnes Oleta (Atkins) Ayers and was one of four surviving children, all boys. Joe graduated from Itasca High School before serving in the US Naval Reserves. He studied electronics at DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago, Illinois, and upon graduation began employment with Texas Instruments in Dallas. Joe worked 35 years at TI and achieved the position of Senior Member Technical Staff. Joe loved his chosen profession. During his time at TI he saw tremendous advances in technology and was always excited about new processes and developments. His colleagues there became lifelong friends. He loved and respected each of them. After retiring from TI Joe started Clay Precision, Ltd., a machine shop supporting local manufacturing companies. He worked there as he could until his death. As with his colleagues at TI, he loved the people that worked at Clay and formed close friendships with them as well.

Joe married Betty Earlene Sanford on June 14, 1963. In 1966 Joe and Betty welcomed their only child, Julia Diann (Ayers) Spencer into the world. Joe was a devoted husband and father. He braved the wind, rain, sleet, snow, and burning Texas sun to help Diann feed, groom, clean up after, and haul her FFA project animals. He and Betty enjoyed playing 42 and Canasta with friends while trying to cheat without being caught. Laughter was a big part of their household. For many years they grew a vegetable garden together which seemed to expand each year. Joe's heart always remained in his childhood home of Itasca where he kept a farm and visited as often as possible.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Betty Ayers, parents Ben and Oleta Ayers, brothers James Ayers and Frank Ayers, and brother-in-law Eugene Sanford, and is survived by daughter Diann Spencer and husband Jeff Spencer, grandsons Reagan Spencer and Jude Spencer, brother Jack Ayers and wife Mary Anna Ayers, niece Sabre Wright and husband Steven Wright, nephews Gregory Sanford and wife Jennifer Sanford, and Thomas Sanford and wife Terri Sanford, great nieces Aubrey Yocham, Elainey Ridenour and husband Jace Ridenour, and MacKenzie Sanford, great nephews Matthew Sanford and wife Daniela Sanford, and Ethan Sanford, and great-great niece Laken Scheller, and great-great nephews Justin Ridenour and Luke Ridenour, along with a host of other beloved relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM Friday October 25 at Waldo Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends following the service in the Waldo Family Center.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice in honor of Joe Ayers.