Donald Henry Ayala

We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Don Ayala, 51, of Daniels, WV, at Bowers Hospice House, after a long battle with cancer. Don was of the Christian faith and he now rests with Jesus.

Donald Henry Ayala was born on November 4, 1972 to the late William Roy Ayala and the late Debra Louise Reiners Ayala in Sturgis, SD.

Don graduated from Wright High School in Wright, WY while under the care of his beloved stepdad, Marvin Schofield.

In 2003, Don moved to southern West Virginia for a job in the mining industry. Here he eventually met and married the love of his life, Lisa Ellis Ayala, and happily took on the role of stepdad to her 7 children that he loved like his own. He also loved his sons in law and his step grandchildren. He is survived by those children, Crista (Brandon) Sykes of Beaver; Cara Coleman and fiancée Mitch Blevins of Mabscott; Candi (Josh) Nelson of Crab Orchard; Courtney (Zach) Foley of Beckley; Caitlin (Marvin) Potter of Hinton; Sean Thompson of Beaver; and Harleigh Thompson of Morgantown. He was also survived by his step grandchildren, Hunter and Connor Davis, Brooklyn Dickens, Cannon Pugh, Emery and Dax Sykes, Brynlee Coleman, Bodhi Blevins, Sylas, Zeek, Taber, and Caliah Nelson, Jonah and Alayna Foley, Cali and Cora Cook, Ryan, Mila, and Luca Potter.

Don is survived by a daughter, Kendra Locken of Gillette, WY, and a son, Austin Ensign of Rock Springs, WY. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rebecca Flesch Zwiers, of Coeur D’Alene, ID.

He is survived by a granddaughter, Harper Zwiers, of Coeur d’Alene, ID, and a grandson, Wyatt Lane Ensign, of Rock Springs, WY.

Don is also survived by 4 half siblings, Willie (Vicki) Ayala of Missoula, MT; Wade (Sadie) Ayala of Salmon, ID; Warren (Sammy Jay) Ayala of Sheridan, WY; and April Berry of Sturgis, SD.

Don is also survived by stepdad, Marvin Schofield, of Medicine Bow, WY and step siblings Amy Schofield Reese, Kellie Schofield Kent, and Bruce Schofield, all originally from Wyoming.

A celebration of Don’s life was held at Josh and Candi Nelson’s home on March 16, 2024.

RIP Don. We will hold you in our hearts until we meet again.