Benjie Ray Ayers, 52, of Gowen, Michigan passed away unexpectedly on August 13, 2023.

Benjie (Ben) was born on December 20, 1970, to Benjamin and Diana Ayers of Lowell, Michigan.

He is survived by his father, Benjamin Ayers (his friend Shirlee), his son, Braeden Ayers, his daughter, Caitlyn Ayers and his aunt, Nancy Parm. He was preceded in death by his mother Diana Ayers, sister, Gina Ayers and twin daughters, Lauren and Mackenzie.

Ben will forever be remembered for his infectious laugh, sideways smirk, his strong desire for everyone to love each other and his vast collection of robes, of which he wore everywhere regardless of societal norms.

Ben could often be found on his back deck overlooking the lake enjoying a cup of coffee (or Busch Light afterhours) with neighbors or talking on the phone for hours with his father and aunt. He was a loving father who adored his children, looking forward to visits from his son and re-watching the movie Father of the Year every chance he could with his daughter.

As a school bus driver, Mr. Ben was loved by “his” kids, both while working and while hanging out in his beloved Silver Beach neighborhood.

His passions outside of work mostly pertained to being on the lake, flipping vintage cars and enjoying time with his neighborhood “family.”

Ben was a testament to the saying that family doesn’t have to be blood. He drew his lake community together, forming the Southsiders of Silver Beach, a tightknit group of misfits that Ben took under his wing and brought together to form a new kind of family that truly loved each other as such.

He was a good, kind man who is dearly missed by so many.

Rest easy, Big Money.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/benjie-ayers/obituary/

Copy