William Heaton Yerkes III, of Furlong, passed away peacefully Monday April 29, 2024 at home with his family by his side. Born in Doylestown, he was the son of the late William Heaton Yerkes Jr. and Elizabeth Fetters Slack.
Bill was raised on the family’s None Such Farm in Buckingham and attended Buckingham High School where he excelled in academics and athletics. Bill graduated from Penn State in 1951 with a degree in Agricultural Economics. While there he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, which he credited with giving him the leadership skills he used his entire life. He also played fullback on the PSU Soccer team, winning National Championships in 1949 and 1950.
After graduation, Bill returned home and married his beloved Nancy Jane Worthington. Bill and Nancy had known each other since childhood, dated through high school and college, and married in 1953. They enjoyed 67 years of marriage before her death in 2021.
Bill was at his happiest on a tractor in a field. None Such was well known for their fresh sweet corn, harvested at night, and shipped to local supermarkets. Bill and his brother John helped None Such Farms flourish, taking the bold step of building the farm market in 1978. In 1982, Pennsylvania awarded them with the Master Farmer designation. Bill continued to farm well into his 70’s. He often said that he had never worked a day in his life because he enjoyed what he did.
Bill was a man of many talents and believed strongly in giving back to the community. He served on many boards. He was a founding member on the Bucks County Land Preservation Board, helping preserve over 18,000 acres during his 35 years and was recently elected to serve for 3 more years. He was a Buckingham Twp. Supervisor, served on the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology Board Authority for over 50 years, was a bank director for Third Federal Savings Bank, and enjoyed singing with the Barbershop Chorus!
Bill and Nancy enjoyed wonderful times with family and friends. In addition to trips to Bobst Mountain Hunting Club, Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son Mark in Alaska. In Bucks County, nothing made Bill happier than having a crowd around his kitchen table where he appreciated hearty appetites and was always inviting you to eat just one more ear of corn.
Bill is survived by his loving children: son, William H. IV (Kim) and daughters, Bonnie (Rich) and Leanne (Joseph). He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, his beloved sister Barbara (Jim) of Florida and brother Skip (Judy) of Solebury and his faithful dog, Ellie.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Nancy, son Mark, brother John, and infant great-granddaughter, Evangeline.
Bill was a devoted Christian and was looking forward to being reunited with his beloved family in Heaven.
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Bill’s life with a memorial service at Doylestown Presbyterian Church, 127 East Court Street, Doylestown Friday May 10th at 11:00. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 10:00-11:00. Interment after the service will be private.
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