Charlie W. Ayers

Charles “Charlie” William Ayers, age 63, passed away with his family and best bud, Belle, his Rhodesian Ridgeback pup, by his side, in the late hours of August 29, after a courageous 3 year battle with cancer. 

 

William was born on April 25, 1961 in Evansville, In. to Charles and Billye (Thomason) Ayers. He grew up and lived his childhood with his mother, grandmother and grandfather, and two sisters in Henderson on Pines Drive. He grew up fishing in the Ohio River, which was in his backyard. After graduation, he started and raised his family in Clay, Ky., becoming a father in 1985 to his son and best friend, Craig. For 36 years, there in Clay, he earned and maintained a masters plumber’s license and dedicated his life to his business, “Charlie’s Plumbing”, in which he served his community with pride. He was of the Baptist faith and in more recent years, was baptized in the same river he fished as a kid. 

 

There was never a dull moment when William was around. He was the epitome of a jokester and was always caught laughing. Even in to his last days, he made jokes with his sister and nieces. He loved classic Rock and Roll music, wouldn’t be caught without his converse shoes, and was a huge fan of his white Mustang with “CA” on the license plate, in which he left to his “favorite” cousin, Tommy Jett. He was a collector of all things from fishing rods to antiques. His gardening skills will be missed, especially since he grew the biggest watermelons and the reddest tomatoes. 

 

He was preceded in death by his father Charles Henry Ayers in 2006, his mother Billye Myrene (Thomason) Shelburne in 2020, and his sister Marsha Myrene (Porter) Reynolds in 2021. He leaves behind his sister and caregiver, Kim (Harry) Stolzy of Henderson, Ky., his son Craig Ayers of Clay, Ky., his daughter Anna Ambs and his two granddaughters, Hadley and Madison of Utica, Ky., his sister Nikki (Donald) Carlow of Bowser, British Columbia and brother-in-law, Mark Reynolds and stepfather, Claude Shelburne, both of Louisville, Ky. Also grieving his loss are his nieces and nephews and official members of the “Claw Club”, Tara Dixon and Katie (Ryan) Giles, both of Henderson, Ky., Matthew Reynolds and Robert (Andria) Reynolds both of Louisville, Ky., and JP (Careese) Bertram and Michelle (Mike) Suzuki of Phoenix, Az.; great nieces and nephews who he loved so much. 

 

Per his wishes, there will be no services; only a private graveside service for his family, where he will be laid to rest at his mother’s side. A celebration of William’s life will be held at a later date. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff at the Mahr Cancer Center in Madisonville, Ky., especially Dr. Duvall. They’d also like to thank the amazing staff at St. Anthony’s Hospice for their love and comfort in William’s last days. 

 

Simple Cremation Evansville is entrusted with care.