REV. CANON WILLIAM JOHN CLINTON AYERS

With great sorrow we announce the peaceful passing away of Rev. “Jack” Ayers, beloved husband of Evelyn, at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, Man. on Jan. 7, 1999.
Jack was predeceased by his daughter, Frances-Ann; his father, William; his mother, Ann; his brother, Wilbur (”Jiggs”); and his brother-in-law, Tom.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; sons, Clinton and David; daughter, Susan; several grandchildren; as well as sisters, Margaret Kenny of Fort Frances, Ont. and Anita Brown of Dryden, Ont.; and brother, Howard of British Columbia.
Jack was born Oct. 31, 1912 in Lindsay, Ont. but later moved to Regina, Sask. and then to Dryden, Ont. He then moved to Winnipeg to study theology at St. John’s College but joined the Canadian Army one year before graduating.
After training, he became a lieutenant.
In 1943, he married Evelyn Campbell, a graduate of the General Hospital. They moved to Nanaimo, B.C. and Jack volunteered as a Can-Loan Officer (a Canadian officer loaned to the British Army). He served overseas in that capacity for two years, having been in three regiments (the 7th East Yorks, the 2nd South Staffordshire, and the 7th-1st Suffolk).
He was awarded the Oak Leaf Award for action beyond the call of duty. Jack achieved the rank of captain, and was widely respected by his peers and subordinates.
He returned home in January, 1946 to Evelyn and his son, Clinton. He completed his theology course and was ordained in 1948 in the Diocese of Keewatin. His first parish was in Atikokan, Ont., where he served for 10 years.
During this time, his other children, Frances-Ann, David, and Susan were born.
The family later moved to Calgary, Alta. where Jack served as assistant to Dean Harrison at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer. In 1959, they moved to Winnipeg, where he became rector of Christ Church, where he served for 20 years until his retirement.
He also served as the treasurer for the Diocese of Rupertsland as well as chaplain in the Duke of Kent Legion for 20 years. In 1979, he was sent to St. George’s Anglican Church in Crescentwood as an Honourary Assistant.
Jack will be missed as a kind, humorous, and compassionate man. He was a faithful servant to God, his country, and humanity.
The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to staff at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg for their wonderful care and support.,
A funeral service was held at St. John’s Cathedral on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m., followed by a reception in St. John’s Cathedral and interment in Green Acres Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation to St. George’s Memorial Fund, 168 Wilton St., Winnipeg, Man., R3M 3C3, or to the Alzheimer Society, 10-120 Donald St., Winnipeg, Man., R3C 4G2.