William Francis Ayers, age 64, passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at the Pilgrim Nursing Center in Peabody following a long battle with cancer.  Son of the late Frederick and Geraldine Marie (McDonald) Ayers, William was born and raised in Salem and attended Bishop Fenwick High School.  He served honorably in the US Army and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. He greatly enjoyed the outdoors and riding his motorcycle; and was also an avid amateur beer brewer.

William is survived by: his son Benjamin and his wife Madelyn, his son Austin M. Ayers and his wife Morgan of Omaha, NE, his brother James Michael Ayers and his wife Kim of Nashville, TN, his sister Patricia Ayers McGrattan and her husband Brian of Ashland, MA, his brother Michael Francis Ayers of Martha's Vineyard, MA, his grandchildren Adi, Teddy and Elliot Ayers and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will take place on Wednesday August 23, 2017 from 4 to 8PM at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St. (corner of North St.) Salem, MA 01970.  His funeral will take place on Thursday August 24, 2017 from the Murphy Funeral Home at 9:15AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at Immaculate Conception Church, 15 Hawthorne Blvd., Salem, MA at 10AM.  For additional information or online guestbook please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.