Walter Lee Ayers, 96, of Dawsonville, died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009.

Born Dec. 9, 1912 in Banks County to the late Henry Washington, Sr. and Lavada Ayers, he lived most of his life in Dawson County.

Mr. Ayers was a retired farmer and was a demolition expert and had worked on the construction of Buford Dam and the Lockheed lab in Dawson County.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII, where he served in the European Theater and was a member of Winds of Peace Fellowship.

He was the last member of a family of 10 children.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Etta Ayers of Dawsonville; children, Frances Lester, Shirley Hulett, Lee and Wanda Ayers, all of Dawsonville, Joyce Waters of Cleveland; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24 at Winds of Peace Fellowship with the Revs. Tommy Panter and Lee Ayers officiating.

Interment followed in the Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.