AYER, WILLIAM ALFRED F.R.S.C. (1932 - 2005) On December 2, 2005, Dr. William Alfred (Bill) Ayer of Edmonton passed away at the age of 73 years. He leaves to mourn his loss, his loving wife of 51 years, Dorothy; six children, Susan (Marc) Barylo, Dr. Stephen (Roxanne) Ayer, Judith (Kenneth) Koncur, Andrew (Ruth Fletcher) Ayer, Dr. Katherine (Timothy) Lazaruk, and Carol (Kelly) Beringer-Brown. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Genevieve, Alisha, and Carolyn Ayer, Nicholas and Shannon Koncur, Rachel Ayer, Justin and Alison Lazaruk and Christopher Beringer. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles Frederic Ayer and Elizabeth Main Harper, his three brothers, one sister, and one grandchild, David James Anderson Ayer. Bill was an accomplished chemist and teacher. Born in Middle Sackville, New Brunswick, he studied chemistry at the University of New Brunswick and Harvard University where he was involved in the first total synthesis of chlorophyll. Beginning in 1958, he was a professor of chemistry at the University of Alberta, and he was appointed "University Professor" in 1992. Bill was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a former Editor of the Canadian Journal of Chemistry, and past President of the Canadian Society for Chemistry. He taught and mentored many undergraduate, postgraduate, and postdoctoral chemists by combining ingenious creativity with infectious enthusiasm, joy, and genuine caring. He passed away suddenly, yet peacefully. His gentle manner, sense of humour, esteem of principle, and love for his wife, family, and friends will be greatly missed. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. at St. George's Anglican Church, 11733 - 87 Avenue. Reverend Greg Lynn and Archdeacon Kathy Bowman will officiate. Cremation has already taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to the Centre for Lung Health, Caritas Health Group, 11111 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 0L4. Foster and McGarvey Ltd., 428-6666.