Leon Aynes, known to nearly everyone as Bill, 91, passed from this life to be with his Lord and Savior on August 13, 2026, surrounded by his wife and children, whom he loved so dearly.

Bill Aynes was born on August 11, 1935, in Oklahoma City to Theodore W. Aynes, originally from Arkansas, and Mary Mabel Butler Aynes, originally from Texas. Bill, the middle of five children, grew up in Oklahoma City and played basketball at Northeast High School before graduating in 1954. He was preceded in death by his parents, his four siblings, Ted Aynes, Arlene Foster, Katherine Stracener, and Will C. Aynes, and his grandson, Michael Paul Aynes.

Almost from the moment Bill met Jean Erlene Ramsey, his heart belonged to her, beginning a lifelong devotion to the woman who would become the great love of his life. Though her parents initially declined his marriage request because she was so young, they eventually saw what Jean did: his steadfast love and deep care for her. Thus, on February 8, 1957, they began a marriage that would span almost seven decades. For the rest of his life, Bill showed Jean how much he cared for her. He wasn't overly verbose, but you could see his love in action even in the small ways, like when he'd quietly grab her a sweater just in case she got cold.

Bill loved being a husband and was a wonderful father to his three children: daughter Debbie Brewer and husband Jim of Guthrie, son Mike Aynes and wife Renae of Edmond, and daughter Gina and husband Larry of Edmond. Having grown up working in his father's nursery and landscaping business, Bill understood what a joy it can be to work with your family. So, after serving in the United States Army Reserve as a Staff Sergeant and receiving his honorable discharge in 1963, he eventually started his own family business in the landscaping industry, giving him the joy of working alongside his wife and children and, in later years, his grandsons.

In August of 1971, the trajectory of Bill's life changed forever. One day he told his family, I want us to know God, and we're going to go to every church in Oklahoma City, if we have to, until we find Him. And find God, he did. His children remember the profound change that decision brought to their family, especially the kindness and tenderness they saw grow in their dad from that point on. Ten years later, Bill felt a stirring in his spirit to start a church, and he faithfully pastored his congregation at Believers Gathering for the next 40 years.

Bill wasn't just a pastor. He was a friend, a counselor, a good shepherd, and a hard worker. He was a see-it, do-it kind of man. There was no need too great nor a task too small for him. He led others by example. On Sunday you'd find him preaching a sermon, but on Monday you'd find him crawling under a congregant's house to help them fix their plumbing issues before having them over to his house for dinner that night. He believed in being kind, sharing Jesus, living with integrity, and doing everything to the very best of his ability.

The beliefs Bill lived out daily made him an exceptional father, pastor, business owner, and grandpa. Bill considered himself a modern Daniel Boone and loved outdoor adventures—camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, golfing, and traveling—especially to any place with mountains, forests, lakes, or rivers. Despite all his other passions, his priorities never strayed from God first, family second, ministry third, and everything else after.

Perhaps his favorite familial role was that of "Papaw" to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Even well into his seventies, Bill had more energy than most everyone around him. Through his business, he had the blessing of working with his grandsons
and took it upon himself to personally teach each of them how to properly use a rake. He'd teach them over and over again, if he had to (much to their dismay), because a job worth doing is worth doing right. Papaw's lessons always had practical life application and a spiritual parallel. He taught his grandkids the ways of the Lord, sometimes with a rake, sometimes while fishing or playing catch, and occasionally through hard truths delivered with kindness and a butterscotch candy from his pocket.

Bill enjoyed a good joke, was more than a little ornery, and loved to play with his grandkids. Bill and Jean gave their children acreage surrounding their own home, which meant Papaw's grandchildren grew up just a skip and a hop away. When Bill would get home from work, he'd loudly do his "hoooodyhoo" Papaw Call from his front porch, and all the kids outside playing would come running to his yard to play with him. That was Bill. He was intentional and invested in people. He made them feel welcome, valuable, and cared for. He taught them, led them to Christ, and loved them unconditionally.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jean Aynes; his three children and their spouses; nine grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill's family legacy extends far beyond those in his family tree. Even the youth at his church knew him as Papaw rather than Pastor Bill, as did the countless others who met him, loved him, and simply decided to keep him.

If Bill could give us one final piece of wisdom, it would be this: "Live your life serving the Lord and be ready to meet Him." Bill Aynes fought the good fight; he finished the race; he kept the faith. The man who set out with his family 55 years ago, determined to find God, spent the rest
of his life knowing Him, serving Him, and helping others find Him, too. What a joy it is to know Bill's journey ended with his Heavenly Father welcoming home His good and faithful servant.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Community Church (512 E. Seward Rd., Guthrie, OK 73044).

Those wishing to honor Bill with flowers are kindly encouraged to arrange delivery closer to the September 3rd memorial service so the flowers may be enjoyed during the service.