Walter Franklin Ayars III, of Summerdale, PA, died on Thursday, August 26th, of COVID-19. He is survived by his wife, Marcy K. Ayars; his five children with the late Jane Wimberly Ayars: Kit Ayars, Louise Barden (Rob), Bryan W. Ayars, F. Bradley Ayars (Cindy), and Suzanne Osborn (Drummond); ten grandchildren, and two great grandchildren; his step-son Craig Wallace and two additional grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter F. Ayars and Myrtle Ravell Ayars, and his sister LaVirgne “Dernie” Stoner.

Walt was born in 1933 in Camden, New Jersey, and attended Park College in Missouri before serving in the US Air Force, where he was stationed in Thule, Greenland. He worked for GMAC for many years and was also a committed citizen organizer and gadfly. He was an organizing member and vice-president of the Hempfield Community Ambulance Association; Director of Donegal Area Study for the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County; President of the East Hempfield Township Citizens Organization; President of the Greater Lancaster Bicentennial Commission; and President of the Historic Lancaster Walking Tour Group.

In retirement, he further embraced his passion for history and antiques, publishing extensive genealogical work on the Ayars family (Ayars Heirs), Lancaster Echoes, Lancaster Diary, and, with his wife Marcy, Larkin Oak: A Treasury of Oak Furniture, and Larkin China.

He loved Atlantic Ocean beaches, dogs, polished shoes, a well-pressed handkerchief, Niagara Falls, and traveling in the motor home.

Interment will be private.

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