Joseph C. Ayers

Victor - Joseph C. Ayers, 87 of Victor passed away peacefully, Sunday September 13, 2009 at his home.
He was born March 30, 1922 in Jellico, Tennessee, the son of the late Carter and Nancey (Murray) Ayers.
Joe was raised on his parent's farm in Campbell County, Tennessee, the youngest of five children. He graduated from high school in 1940.
Joe met the love of his life, Hazel Chadwick in the hills of Tennessee and they were instantly childhood sweethearts. They were married January 23, 1946. Joe and Hazel spent their honeymoon at the Antrim Point lookout near Stevensville.
Joe began his career of public service with the Rocky Mountain Federal Laboratory in 1947. He retired in 1977 after 32 years of service as a Biological Laboratory Technician.
Joe was an avid sportsman and thoroughly enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and family. He was a master gardener and his yard was always the envy of the neighborhood. Joe loved spending time with his family and playing pinochle.
Joe is survived by his wife Hazel of Victor; three daughters, Jan (Dale) Blankers of Tacoma, WA., Joy (Arn) Storrud of Lyman, WY., and Nancy (Clay) Pasternak of Walsenburg, CO; two grandsons, Joseph Clay (Tonia) Storrud of West Valley, UT., and SSG Zachary John Storrud (USMC) serving in Iraq; great grandchildren, Kaileigh Nicole Storrud and Jonathon Jace Storrud of West Valley, UT.
Pallbearers are Dale Blankers, Arn Storrud, Clay Pasternak, R. Kaye Bergman, Phil Copp and Luke Trout. Honorary pallbearers are Clay Storrud, Zach Storrud, Carter Allen, John Ayers, Kelly Ayers and John Duncan.
The family suggests memorials in Joe's name to the Marcus Daly Memorial Hospice, 1200 Westwood Dr., Hamilton, MT 59840 or the Bitterroot Church of the Nazarene, P.O. Box 360, Victor, MT 59875.