William D. Jaycox

Mohawk (Herkimer County) formally of Schoharie (Schoharie County)

William Jaycox, 84, of Mohawk, NY passed away due to a long gradual decline in health on May 23, 2025.  On July 25, 1940 God created a farmer that was born in Schoharie and was raised most of his childhood on a small family farm in Greenville, NY.  He is the son of Clifford and Emma (Rose) Jaycox and the second born of thirteen children.  He attended Greenville Central School, graduating in 1958.  He participated in sports that included cross country, track and basketball; and was a very active member of the Future Farmers of America. After graduation he continued to work a small farm and was a self-employed milk truck driver delivering milk cans to local creameries for dairy farmers.  He also worked at General Electric in Schenectady.

He met the love of his life Nancy in 1958 at a square dance at the Potter Hollow Grange Hall in Preston Hollow, NY.  They dated for 3 years and were joined in marriage on August 12, 1961.  Bill and Nancy purchased their first small farm in Berne, N.Y.  He milked a small dairy herd and owned some ponies he drove with carts along with other horses.  He also started his school bus driving career at Berne Knox Westerlo Central School in 1971.  Bill always wanted to return to his birth place in Schoharie,  and in 1972 he and Nancy purchased a larger dairy farm on Schoharie Hill road, which became known as 5-J Farm.  He also continued to drive school bus for Schoharie Central School.  

He and Nancy decided to sell the farm and retire in 2007.  At that time, they decided to move to Mohawk, N.Y on their daughters and son-in-laws farm to be closer to their grandchildren.  They also brought some of their favorite cattle and farm equipment. Bill may have been retired but he never sat still. His family called him "Rammy" as he was always wanting to get things taken care of and felt yesterday was too late as time was a wasting!  Needless to say, his hobby was work.

Through his years he was an active member of the Schoharie Valley FFA Alumni, New York State Farm Bureau, and was a league bowler at the Schoharie Lanes. for many years he served as cattle superintendent at the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair in Cobleskill.  He enjoyed exhibiting his registered Brown Swiss, Holsteins, Ayrshire and Jersey cattle at many county, state and regional cattle fairs and exhibitions. In his younger years he liked working with his horses and cart ponies, taking his kids snowmobiling, square dancing, playing poker and cards every Saturday evening with friends.  If he ever sat down to watch the television it would either be the news with the weather forecast or old western and cowboy movies. John Wayne "the Duke" was his favorite actor, and named his border collie dog, Duke after him.  Bill will be sorely missed by Duke as he was his sidekick, great protector and co-pilot on many trips in Bills pickup and side by side for the last eight years...thus serving as a man's best friend.

With an unwavering love for farming and agriculture he instilled hard work ethics, love for the land and a deep respect for animals and values into his children and grandchildren.  He and Nancy raised a close knit family, and it continued with their grandchildren and great grandchild. His legacy will continue through them and he will always be remembered as their partner in crime and their "papa".   Bill was best buddies with all of his grandchildren and always supported them through their animal exhibitions and sports events.  He, however, had a special tie to his grandsons as he was proud that they were continuing on to be the next generation of dairy farmers. He passed his knowledge on to them from equipment repair to field work, to animal husbandry, to plumbing and electric, including advice on women and how to treat a lady.  As he always said, "all advice is free and it's your choice on how you use it".

Bill was also called "Mr. J", or "dad" by many youths.  He was a favorite father to many at the county fairs in the livestock barns, on his school bus and many visitors on the farm. He never passed down judgement; only useful guidance to those whom entered his barn.  He never had a selfish bone in his body and would offer assistance when he had the means to do so.  

Survivors include:  his wife of 63 years, Nancy (Pitcher) Jaycox, his children: Dawn Jaycox-Weeks (late Jeffrey) of Gainesville, FL, William (Elaine) Jaycox Jr. of Middleburgh, NY, and Eve (Scott) Tuttle of Windham, NY;  5 grandchildren: Hannah Tuttle of Windham, NY, Samuel Weeks of Mohawk, NY, Carrie (Nick) Marshall of Interlachen, FL,  Jeffrey (Lindsey) Weeks II of Mohawk, NY and Sarah (Brenden) Shubert of Davenport, NY. He was also blessed with a great-granddaughter, Blake.  He is survived by many siblings: Clifford (Karen) Jaycox, Newton (Barbara) Jaycox, Stanley (Indy) Jaycox, George (Karen) Jaycox, Albert (Donna) Jaycox, Anna (Bill) Salisbury, Jane (Louie) Searing, Dorothy  Barkman, Hazel Countermine, and Emily Ford as well as many nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, William is predeceased by his son-in-law, Jeffrey Weeks, and two brothers, Frank Jaycox and Delbert Jaycox.

A period of visitation will be held from 12PM-2PM on June 19th at the Langan Funeral Home, 327 Main St. in Schoharie, N.Y.  Services are to be privately held at the convenience of his immediate family.  Condolences can be sent to Langan Funeral Home at langanfuneralhome.com or 327 Main St. Schoharie, N.Y. 12157.

Arrangements are under the caring guidance of the locally owned and family operated, Vincent A. Enea Funeral Service, (next to Hannaford Markets), 527 E. Albany St., Herkimer, NY 315-866-1500.

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