John Dillard Ayres

John Dillard Ayres of Katie, Oklahoma was born to John and Susie (Dill) Ayres on August 6, 1923 in Holliday, Texas and passed from this life on July 30, 2009 at his home in Katie at the age of 85 years. Dillard served his country in the U. S. Army during World War II in the 7th Armored Division. He was captured on December 23, 1944 in the Battle of the Bulge and was a prisoner of war in Germany. On May 18, 1945, he was released from captivity. He received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on December 18, 1944 in European Theatre. His decorations and citations included the World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, 1 Overseas Service Bar and the Purple Heart Medal. He married Glenna Holt in Holliday, Texas on September 17, 1948 and they moved to Wynnewood, Oklahoma in 1949. Dillard worked at Kerr-McGee Refinery in Wynnewood from 1956 until his retirement in 1988. He and Glenna moved to Katie in 1949. Survivors include his wife Glenna (Holt) Ayres of Katie; son Gary Ayres and wife Vicky, also of Elmore City; daughter Jan Wright and husband Terry of Wynnewood; two brothers, Duan (Chick) Ayres and Jack Ayres both of Holliday, Texas. Grandchildren are Amy Ayres, Denton, Texas; Jana Mara, Elmore City; Jason Wright, Davis; and Sharon Sims, Keizer, Oregon. Great-grandchildren are Kristan, Kylie, and Kazi Mara, Elmore City; McKenzie and Hannah Kirsch and Landon Cogar, Keizer, Oregon; Jaxon Dillard Wright, Davis. He was preceded in death by his father, John Ayres; his mother Susie (Dill) Ayres; brothers Jerry Ayres and Joe Ayres; and sister Melba Faye Thompson. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 3, 2009 at First Baptist Church, Elmore City, with Dr. Bruce McCray officiating. Burial will be in Katie Cemetery under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home. Pall Bearers are Charley Roady, Jim Burch, Dale Riley, Dan Farr, Lawrence Baxter, Mikel Henderson, Dwight Christian and Dennis Porter. Honorary Pall Bearers are Harvey Baker, George Dale, Don Phillips, J. R. Barnes, James Porter, Don Wiley and his men’s Sunday School Class. You may send a condolence to the family at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com.

John Dillard Ayres

August 6, 1923 - July 30, 2009