Boyce Eugene Laycoax, age 88, of Clay City, Illinois, passed away, Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Flora Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Flora.

     Gene was born December 6, 1934, in Sailor Springs, the son of Bernard Joseph Laycoax and Zella Delores (Stacey).  He was united in marriage to Jo Ann Goings on October 28, 1956, in Clay City and together they shared 40 anniversaries until her death October 20, 1997.

     Gene enjoyed working and was a jack-of-all-trades, working as a maintenance man, and driving a school bus and a truck.  Later in life he enjoyed activities to keep his mind sharp, including word searches and reading books and medical journals.  Gene was baptized at the First Christian Church in Flora and helped build a Christian Church in Pahrump, Nevada.

He is survived by his son: Charles Laycoax of Clay City; 2 brothers: Paul (Kim) Laycoax of Surprise, Arizona, and William (Patsy) Laycoax of Iola; sister: Janice Laycoax of Elkhart, Indiana; as well as several nieces and nephews.

     He is preceded in death by his parents: Joe Laycoax and Zella Delores Combs; wife: Jo Ann Laycoax; 2 brothers: Lewis Henry Laycoax and Arthur Franklin Combs; and 3 sisters: Joan Bonham, Vannah M. Wiley, and Edna Marie Fender.

     A funeral ceremony will be held at 12 noon Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Interment will follow in Clay City Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 12 noon on Saturday at the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com