W.E. Ayres was a pillar of the city of Pine Bluff and the state of Arkansas for decades. Ayres was the former Chairman and CEO of Simmons First National Corporation of Pine Bluff. He joined the organization in 1957 and became Senior Vice President in 1969. Mr. Ayres was then named President of the Bank in 1985 and named Chairman of the Board the following year.

A graduate of Louisiana State University, W.E. Ayres also received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Southeast Arkansas College.

W.E. Ayres was an active member of Lakeside United Methodist Church where he served as a former trustee and Sunday School teacher. He was a past President of the Arkansas Bankers Association as well as a member of the Kiwanis Club, Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas Arts Council and the Arkansas School for Mathematics and Science Foundation.

My deepest condolences go to his wife, Diane Ayres; son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Leigh Ayres of Atlanta, GA; daughter Cathy Zimmerman of Boulder, CO; and to his 5 grandchildren.  W.E. Ayres will be greatly missed in Pine Bluff and throughout the state of Arkansas.