Michael John Ayers, 80, of Kahlotus, WA, passed away on May 5, 2025, at the Regency of Pullman Assisted Living. Born on August 29, 1944, in Boston, MA, to James and Edith (Pilling) Ayers, he later moved with his family to Washington, where he grew up and attended high school in Kennewick.

Michael then proudly served in the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, CA, where he met his future bride of over 60 years, Shirley Lee Peterson. They married on December 31, 1964, and settled in Kettleman City, CA, where he worked as a concrete mason before moving to Los Angeles, where Michael worked as a butcher. In 1976, they settled down in Kahlotus, WA, to raise a family and have lived there ever since. His career included work with the Army Corps of Engineers on area dams, construction at Hanford, and 30 years as a corrections officer at the Washington State Penitentiary and Coyote Ridge Corrections Center, retiring in 2015. Michael's most cherished memories were the moments spent working in his spare time alongside his family and friends at Connell Sand & Gravel.

Michael's family was his greatest source of pride. He lived his life by the values instilled in him as a young Marine—honor, courage, and commitment. He also served the Kahlotus community by coaching youth sports, high school football, and softball, serving as a volunteer firefighter, and often filling in as Santa Claus at the Kahlotus school. Michael enjoyed fishing, watching his favorite show, NCIS, and was an avid reader. Above all, he loved playing and teaching others cribbage where he would often say, "I won't cheat you, though I am sure going to beat you."

Michael is survived by his wife, Shirley, at their family home in Kahlotus. He also leaves behind six children: Tish (Pig) Silva of Libby, MT; Shawn (Melanie) Ayers of Kahlotus; Brian Ayers of Kahlotus; Jessica (Doug) Herron of Kahlotus; Bill (Karen) King of Pullman; and Mary Musgrave of Boise, ID, his sister Denise Curren of Yakima, his aunt Sandra Hennis of Indianapolis, IN, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Richard Ayers.

At Michael's request, no public services will be held. Arrangements are entrusted to Corbeill Funeral Home, Pullman, WA.