Harley Lee Ayris was born on September 11, 1936 in Chippewa Township, Isabella County, Michigan. He was the third child born to Nellie (Heiden) and Chester Ayris.

A 1955 graduate of Mt Pleasant High School, he worked at Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan. Harley also served as President of the Isabella County Fair Board while living in Remus, Michigan.

On September 21, 1957, he married Shirley Ann Recker and they had four children before her death in 1990. Harley later married Sandy Snook on July 20, 1996 and they had twin boys.

Harley died on February 19, 2010 in Mid-Michigan Medical Center in Midland, Michigan at the age of 73.