UTICA, Ky. — Alton Ayer, 72, of Utica, passed away peacefully at 11:11 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Hartford, Kentucky, surrounded by friends and family after a mercifully short illness from pancreatic cancer. Alton Murrell Ayer was born Aug. 25, 1952, in McLean County, Kentucky, to the late Paul Render and Sue Poiles Ayer.
Alton was a man of many talents and many interests, but he was most proud of raising his two children into the good humans they are today. He was the owner and operator of the Sliver and Splinter Shop, a custom woodwork business in Richmond, Virginia.
He loved meeting people and listening to their stories, and he had enough adventures to fill seven lifetimes. He was active on church and neighborhood committees throughout his life, he loved to learn new artforms such as writing with the Butler County Arts Guild writers’ group, and most recently he campaigned for a seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives. He leaves his legacy in the hearts of all who knew him, as well as in the homes of many through his beautiful custom cabinetry.
Alton is survived by his sweetheart, Sharon Ford, of Hartford, Kentucky; a son, Thomas Ayer, of Henrico, Virginia; a daughter, Lee Katherine Ayerhart (Steven), of New Hill, North Carolina; two brothers, Terry Ayer, of Cox’s Creek, Kentucky, and Charlie Graves (Elizabeth), of Peachtree Corner, Georgia; two sisters, Paula Powell, of Island, Kentucky, and Vivian Albrektsen (Mike), of Louisville, Kentucky; and several nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. (CST) Saturday, Dec. 7, at Muster Funeral Homes, Livermore Chapel. Alton’s family requests that friends wear colorful attire to celebrate his life, especially anything with flowers, birds, or butterflies. Friends may visit with Alton’s family from 2:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday at Musters in Livermore.
Alton’s life will also be celebrated with a service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond at a later date.
The Alton Ayer family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Horse and Buddy, where his beloved daughter works as a therapeutic riding instructor, which he was very proud of; P.O. Box 675; Apex, North Carolina 27502 or www.horseandbuddy.org/donate. Donations may also be made to Hospice of Ohio County, who provided great comfort at the end of his life; 1211 Old Main Street; Hartford, Kentucky 42347.
Alton’s services will be streamed live on musterfuneralhomes.com at 4 p.m. (CST) on Saturday.
Share your memories and photos of Alton at musterfuneralhomes.com.
