Mr. Donald Wray Aylsworth

Don was born on December 16, 1936 in Cambridge Nebraska and was the son of William and Ruby (Balcom) Aylsworth. At a young age, he moved, with his family, from Nebraska to Gresham, Oregon where he grew up with his brother, Glen and sister, Delorus. He graduated from Gresham High in 1955 and then went on to serve our country in the United States Air Force from 1958-1962. He achieved the rank of Airman 1st Class and received a Good Conduct Medal at the time of his Honorable Discharge.

After the military, Don worked at the Piggly Wiggly in Portland, Oregon and in 1963 moved his family to Chehalis, WA where he owned and operated Wards Market in Downtown Chehalis. Don was a butcher for most of his adult life; selling locker packs and delivering meat to restaurants.

Don was a member of the Inventors Association, American Legion and Eagles. He loved to demo, relocate homes and remodel his many rental properties. Don loved to cut firewood, do wood carvings, travel and take cruises. He especially enjoyed watching his grandkids sporting events and having family holidays and get togethers. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Don is survived by his daughters, Donna and (Tom) Lund, Chehalis; Gay (Rich) Durward of Olympia, WA; Karen (Pepper) Gratzer, Chehalis, WA; and Susie Wilber of Chehalis, WA, and his son, Teddy Ziegler of Olympia along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marylin and his son, Rick Ziegler.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 11:00 am at Sticklin Funeral Chapel, 1437 S Gold Street Centralia, WA. Donations may be made in Don’s memory to the Lewis County Gospel Mission 72 SW Chehalis Ave, Chehalis, 98532.