Joseph Arthur (Artie) Ayres

Joseph Arthur (Artie) Ayres, Branson West, MO.

Joseph Arthur (Artie) Ayres, Branson West, MO, the only child of Ella Fern (Goodall) Ayres and Benjamin Franklin Ayres was born February 4, 1926 near Table Rock Dam, in a log cabin, now under the water of Table Rock Lake. Artie was united in marriage with “the prettiest girl in Stone County,” Mary Ellen Emerson on June 1, 1947.  He departed this life on October 10, 2022, at the age of 96. His abiding faith in God comforted him and gave him assurance that he would be reunited with Mary Ellen for eternity in Heaven.

Artie was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Mary Ellen who died on March 9, 2022.  Survivors include four children; Vance Ray Ayres and his wife Leona of Harrison AR, Kelby Joe Ayres and his wife Yvette, Nita Jane Ayres and Arla Ann Ayres all of Branson West; five grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.

A celebration of Artie’s life will take place 2 pm Saturday, November 19, 2022, at New Testament Christian Church auditorium in Reeds Spring, MO.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  In lieu of flowers Artie would prefer you make a contribution to Lives Under Construction Boys Ranch. You can call LUC Boys Ranch at (417) 779-5374 to make a credit card donation via phone.  Or you can contribute the old fashioned way by mailing a check to 296 Boys Ranch Rd, Lampe, MO  65681.

Artie grew up on the Goodall homestead alongside his mother’s nine sisters and two brothers. He attended school in Hollister and Branson graduating from Branson High School May 14, 1943.  June 17, 1944 he enlisted in the Army Airborne and went with the 505th parachute infantry regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division on the Central Europe Rhineland campaign. Artie was among the 15,000+ men who jumped over the Rhine River in operation Varsity ending WWII.

After a short time in the army of occupation, he returned to his home in Stone County. Then he attended MU in Columbia, graduating with a degree in agriculture, taught in the "Veterans on the Farm" program and was the first director of the Stone County "Head Start" pre-kindergarten education program. Other employment included jobs with Ralston Purina selling feed for livestock in MO and AR and with Watt Publishing Company, where he was Midwest Region, Advertising sales manager and Marketing Consultant for Farm Trade Magazines.    Artie was elected to Reeds Spring R-IV District school board and served as president in 1966.

Later, his career included 20+ years as Mayor of the City Branson West where his vision of municipal water and sewer in Branson West when achieved, helped him bring a Walmart Supercenter to the City.

Artie was a local historian, the first president of the Ozark Writers League and was elected president of the White River Valley Historical Society in 1988. He had his own theories regarding the source of silver for the legendary 'Yocum Silver Dollar', produced the “Lost Silver Mine” Outdoor Drama and is author of the book “Traces of Silver”.  In May of 2016 Artie's lifetime of contributions to his community were recognized when he was inducted into the Reeds Spring Area Hall of Fame.

In his life, Joseph Arthur (Artie) Ayres demonstrated his ability to hit targets that others didn't even see. His legacy of bold action inspires us to keep seeking those targets. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.