Within Yazoo County, the Saxton family has developed a reputation for a strong work ethic. There is no doubting them…they know how to work.
And Wayne Saxton is continuing that foundation as he embarks on his next chapter within the local business community. Still building upon his towing services, he now welcomes another angle into his family business with the scrap metal industry.
Carrying on the name of his late father, Ricky Saxton, Wayne welcomes Ricky’s Recycling Services to his salvage yard on Highway 3. Not only will he purchase scrap metal during the week, but he will also be open for half a day on Saturdays.
“It feels good to add this to our business,” he said. “It is hard work, but I am fortunate enough that Daddy put down a good foundation.”
Wayne purchased his salvage yard on Highway 3 in 2008. But he was already well-versed in business. When he was only about five years old, he could be found at Ricky’s shop, handing his father tools.
“We used to live on Highway 49, where the firework stand is,” Wayne reflects. “Daddy had one stall there where he would do his mechanical work. When I was a kid, I would be there, just handing him stuff. It went slow because we didn’t have anything. But we slowly stared adding on, getting bigger and bigger.”
After beginning his business in the mid-1980s, Ricky would eventually purchase some land in rural Yazoo County, where he then opened a salvage yard.
“He started buying cars when I was about 14 years old,” Wayne added. “When I bought my own place here, it was my intention to put the scales in back then. But things just didn’t work out. Daddy was already involved in the salvage part at his place, and we just started working together. But we always wanted to put scales in. It just didn’t fall into place at the time.”
But now Wayne has found the perfect time with the arrival of his new endeavor, Ricky’s Recycling Services, just like he and his father had always intended.
“It all fell into place,” Wayne said. “Daddy eventually got out of the repair side and just started selling parts. I will keep sticking with our towing services. But I will be getting out of the repair side too. Towing and scrap metal will be what we do now.”
Wayne said he is grateful to the community for their support in his repair business, but he admits that rising costs led him to his decision. But he feels the foundation his business has already established will be carried over into his new endeavor.
“I am going to pay the best I can pay, and treat everybody the same,” he said. “When we tell you something, we are going to do it. That is one thing that my family has taught me. We have never had anything just handed to us. We have worked, and we try to be straight. You go around Yazoo County, and I don’t think you will find a negative comment as to how we do business.”
Ricky’s Recycling will accept cars, copper, aluminum, batteries, brass, house appliances…anything metal.
“A lot of people have to work five days a week, and they don’t have time to bring stuff during the week,” Wayne said. “So, I think opening a half day on Saturday will give people a chance to clean up around their house and bring things to us. When people get off at 5 during the week, we are already closed. Opening on Saturdays will allow more people to be able to get in here.”
With four employees, Wayne is excited about this new chapter.
“I think once people see how we operate, they will be back,” he added.
And as Wayne prepares for this new chapter, he is grateful that he is putting an idea he and his father had into a reality. His father’s legacy and lessons will be felt daily.
“Daddy always taught me that if you tell somebody something, you need to do it,” Wayne said. “If you give anybody a price and something happens, I don’t care if you lose money. That is what you charge them. You must be honest and fair with people. Daddy liked to do what he told people he was going to do. I try to be the same way.”
“And he didn’t want you walking anywhere,” Wayne added, with a smile. “He didn’t mean to take your time. He meant scratch off. He wanted you wide open. I am like that today because of him. I am at one speed. And if you messed up, he would tell you that it was over, and it was time to move on. I wish I was more like him.”
And as Wayne hits the ground running to help a customer, perhaps he is more like his father than he realizes.
