(Seguin) — Happy birthday to the Captain! On Tuesday, Seguin Mayor Don Keil presented a special proclamation to longtime Seguin resident and centenarian, Captain William Ayers, in honor and recognition of his 100th birthday.
“Whereas, William was born Feb. 11, 1920 to Ed and Bertha Blumberg Ayers, grew up in Seguin and graduated as a member of the Seguin High School Class of 1937,” said Keil.
Following graduation, Ayers entered the U.S. Merchant Marines during WWII, during which he survived a torpedo attack on his ship.
While visiting Seguin City Hall, Ayers also got the chance to ring a brass bell and visit the builder’s plank that he acquired for the city from the S.S. Juan Seguin, a cargo ship that saw action during WWII.
“I got the bell from the United States Marines Commission. I made a request and then they gave it to me and I brought it here and we had a big ceremony right in front. We asked to be named Juan N. Seguin, the founder of Seguin,” said Ayers. 
After his career, Ayers in 1960, established the Ayers Steamship Co. Inc., in New Orleans, and retired as Captain of the Port of New Orleans before he, his wife Billie, and their children returned to Seguin — here, they moved into the historic Blumberg home and have been there ever since.
When asked about turning 100, Ayers says he’s been blessed to have experienced so much and is proud to have returned home to a city that continues to make him proud.
“Well, Seguin is improving all the time. It’s a modern city and I’m proud to be a citizen here. That’s why I moved back to New Orleans from Seguin,” said Ayers.
Mayor Keil says he was proud to honor Ayers with the proclamation and says “This is a momentous occasion and the City of Seguin wishes Captain Ayers all the best on his special day.”
The brass bell and plank donated by Ayers is on permanent display in the front foyer at Seguin City Hall.