Howard was born and spent the first few years of his life in Richmond, California. He was a young boy when the family moved to Adna, Washington, where they later purchased a farm on the Chehalis River. When he was a teenager, his family relocated to Rochester, Washington.

In 1961, Howard graduated from Rochester High School. He married Verna L. Arnold on June 1, 1962, the day after her high school graduation. They had three sons, Dave, Steve and Larry.

Howard was known for his strong work ethic. He held several jobs over the years. Most notably, he owned and operated Howard’s Exxon Service Station in Rochester. He was also a weighmaster and then a maintenance mechanic for the Washington State Patrol. He retired from the WSP on Feb. 1, 2008.

Howard enjoyed many hobbies, such as restoring classic tractors, cars and trucks. He collected bicycles, oil cans and Tonka trucks, among other things. He also enjoyed raising animals and growing food. Howard and Verna often road-tripped the Southwestern United States and Mexico. When you stopped by for a visit, Howard was usually watching an old western he had already seen.

Howard was preceded in death by his mother, Rose Ayers; father, Gilmer Ayers; and son, Dave Ayers (Jan).

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Verna Ayers; his sons, Steve Ayers and Larry Ayers (Corrine); his siblings, Suzy Hickey (the late Dale), Jean Blake (the late Bernard), Sylvia James (Dwight), Paulette Smith (Bill), Jim Ayers, Jerry Ayers (Lori), and Annette Parbon (Joe); and his grandchildren, Ashley Ayers (Joe) and Tyler Holweger.

Howard will especially be remembered as a dedicated husband and for his sharp wit.

He spent a lifetime in the Rochester area and will be missed by many.

A celebration of Howard’s life will be held at Swede Hall on Friday, Jan. 30, at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sharon Care Center Memory Care in Centralia.

To view the obituary, please go to chronline.com/obituaries.