Philip Lee Ayers

Phillip Lee Ayers, age 91, of Nicholson, Georgia, passed away on August 5, 2026. He was born April 13, 1935, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Herbert Bernard and Grace Rudolph Ayers. He grew up on a farm in Merrillville, IN and graduated from Merrillville High School.

Phil proudly served two terms in the United States Army in Korea following the Korean War. He later graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He had a successful career in sales before eventually starting his own business, Ayers Distributing Company. Plastic Easter egg business, Eggs proudly made in the USA and filled by special needs Americans.

Phil was a man who loved his family, loved to laugh, and most importantly, loved the Lord. He was a faithful member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church, where he and his beloved wife, Ruth, taught third-grade Sunday School together for many years. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a way of bringing laughter to those around him.

Phil also loved his sports. As a Purdue graduate, he was a lifelong Purdue Boilermakers fan and especially loved Purdue basketball. After making Georgia home, he also became a huge Georgia Bulldogs football fan. Whether he was cheering on the Boilermakers or the Dawgs, you could always count on Phil being invested in the game.

Phil was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years Lena Ruth Ayers. She was the love of his life. Also preceded in death by his four brothers, Don, Jim, Jack, and Alan Ayers.

He is survived by his loving children, Bill (Fran) Ayers of Watkinsville, GA and Lisa Ayers Arcaro (Joe) three grandchildren, James Ayers (Rachel), Justin Ayers, and Zach Ayers (Marissa) two step-grandchildren, Brandon Williams and Blake (Angel) Williams, four great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren and many other family members and friends who loved him dearly.

Phil lived 91 years filled with faith, family, hard work, laughter, and plenty of sports. More than anything, he will be remembered as a great man who loved the Lord and loved his family. The lessons he taught, the memories he made, and the love he gave will continue to live on through the family he leaves behind. He never met a stranger.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in Phil’s honor to the Prince Avenue Baptist Church Building Fund, 2131 Ruth Jackson Road, Bogart, GA 30622.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 15, at the Chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Road, Watkinsville, Georgia. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the service following at 11:00 a.m.