William Cashman Ayer

Mr. William Cashman Ayer, 87, of Madisonville, KY died at 4:29 P.M. Monday, October 9, 2006, at his residence. \ Born August 18, 1919 in McLean County, KY he was the son of the late Henry C. Ayer and Myrtle Thomasson Ayer. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Clara Lee Riggs Ayer on September 1, 1998. \ Mr. Ayer was a World War II veteran who served in the Pacific with the 7th Army Air Force. and was awarded three battle stars. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. \ He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Madisonville where he served as Chairman of the Official Board. He served for many years as Treasurer of the church. He served as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Sunday School Superintendent. \ He was a Past Member of the Board of the Methodist Retirement Homes of Kentucky and served as Finance Chairman of that organization. \ Mr. Ayer was the retired Chairman of the Board of Peoples Bank & Trust Co. (now Fifth Third Bank). He first became President of Peoples Bank in 1959. He was a retired member of Board of Directors of Citizens National Bank of Evansville (successor to Peoples Bank and Trust Co.) \ He served in many capacities with the Kentucky Bankers Association during his long banking career. \ Prior to coming to Madisonville in 1959 he resided in Calhoun, KY where he was employed by Citizens Deposit Bank. While in Calhoun he owned a part interest in the McLean County News, was a member of the Calhoun Lions Club and served on the Calhoun City Council. \ He was former President of Madisonville Kiwanis Club and Past Distinguished Lt. Governor (1976-77) of Division 14 of the Kentucky-Tennessee District of Kiwanis International. Became a Life Member of Kiwanis International in July, 1977. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Madisonville Kiwanis Club in 1988 and was named a George F. Hixson Fellow of Kiwanis International in February, 1999. \ He was a Charter Member of Madisonville Salvation Army Advisory Board and the Past Large Gifts Chairman of the Salvation Army Capital Fund Drive. He received the William Booth Award of the Salvation Army. \ He was a former member of the Advisory Board Audubon Council of Boy Scouts of America, Past Director of the United Way of Hopkins County, Past Director of the Hopkins County Budget Commission and a Past member of the Mayors Advisory Finance Committee. \ Mr. Ayer was Director of Madisonville Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Chamber of Commerce Industrial Committee, Past Chairman of the Board of the Economic Development Corporation of Madisonville-Hopkins County, Past Chairman of Hopkins County Chapter of American Red Cross, Past Co-Chairman of Hopkins County YMCA Capital Fund Drive, Past President of Lakeshore Country Club and Past Board Member of Madisonville Industrial Authority. \ He was honored as Madisonville Boss of the Year by the Madisonville chapter of the National Secretaries Association. \ He is survived by one daughter, Patricia Ayer Chernicky of Tulsa, OK; two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael Lee and Cynthia Ayer of Columbia, TN and William C. and Pam Ayer of Frankfort, KY; one brother and sister-in-law, Hugh M. and Libby Ayer of Denton, TX; six grandchildren and their spouses, Kimberly Roberts and husband Casey of Broken Arrow, OK, Keith Chernicky of Tulsa, OK, Rebecca Ayer of Washington, DC, Jennifer Ayer Hill and husband Mike of Nashville, TN, Meagan Ayer Deiana-Molnar and husband Paul of Buffalo, NY and Heather Lea Ayer of Frankfort, KY and one great granddaughter, Shayli Anna Roberts of Broken Arrow, OK and his caregiver and friend, Alice Arnold of Madisonville. \ Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, October 12, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church with Dr. Don Davis and Dr. Glenn Sowards officiating. Entombment will follow in the Calhoun Cemetery. \ Friends may call from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Barnett-Strother Funeral Home. \ Memorial gifts may take the from of donations to Madisonville Salvation Army or First United Methodist Church Building Fund. \ Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barnettstrother.com. \