The two first met at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar through Whitney’s mom, who happened to be there with mutual friends. It wasn’t exactly a planned introduction, but a few months later, Whitney’s mom attempted to play matchmaker.

“She told me, ‘You need to go get my daughter from Midland. She needs to come home,’” recalled Jayson, with a laugh. “I thought, no, I’m not getting involved in this.”

Fortunately for the fun-loving couple, he changed his mind. At the time, Whitney was working at a hair salon in Midland and Jayson was coaching football, leaving him with very little free time. Their first official date took place halfway between their two cities in Ozona, Texas. “We had dinner and drinks, and afterwards cruised out to our family ranch,” said Jayson. “We spent the evening laughing and getting to know each other in person for the first time. It was all over from there.”

For Whitney, the connection was immediate, too, admitting that she initially reached out to him to pursue the connection. The two spent months talking on the phone before they were able to spend much time together in person. In fact, their relationship developed organically, in a way that feels almost nostalgic in today’s world of instant match-ups. “I think that was kind of before the whole dating apps,” agreed Jayson. “We just talked a whole lot. Our second date wasn’t until football season was over and we decided to go to Jackson Hole, Wyoming on a winter break ski trip.”

“I think on our second date he told me he loved me,” teased Whitney.

The chemistry was understandably immediate and the pair quickly discovered they had something special. They were both adventurous, loved being around people and shared a similar appreciation for the simple things in life. Yet, perhaps what made them such a good match was how they balanced each other out — a true yin-yang dynamic, with Jayson’s larger-than-life personality complemented by Whitney’s grounded, easygoing nature. “Whitney is just down for whatever at the drop of a hat. She can fit in anywhere, and I love to joke around and be around my friends,” he elaborated.

 The admiration goes both ways — the love and respect they have for each other can be seen a mile away. When asked to describe Jayson, Whitney doesn’t hesitate: “He’s super fun-loving and the most passionate person I’ve ever met in my life. Golf, coaching, whatever it is, he’s passionate. And he’s got a huge heart.”

Jayson confided that Whitney’s biggest strength is also what makes her so incredible. “She cares too much. She’s just a caring, salt-of-the-earth kind of person. She’ll give the shirt off her back to a complete stranger,” he said. Of course, their differences are part of what makes their relationship work.

“I’m always working the room. I talk to everybody. I’m a social butterfly. But Whit will reel me in. She’ll say, ‘Come back here,’” he said proudly. That balance has served them well through the years as they built careers, traveled the world and created a life full of memorable experiences.

Jayson and Whitney both grew up with old school values, where saying “yes, sir,” and “yes, ma’am,” is a meaningful and respectful gesture. “We both put a high value on our families. Our parents and grandparents have always been front and center in the decisions we make,” said Jayson. The couple decided to start their lives together in Whitney’s home town of Devine, Texas, just three miles from where Whitney grew up. “It was great. My mom, dad and both grandmothers were all very close by. We were able to spend a lot of time with my brother Beau and sister-in-law Traci, and our newly born twin nieces,” shared Whitney. After five years in Devine, they were ready to move closer to San Antonio. Whitney had been working at a salon in Boerne and the drive was getting old. They ended up settling halfway in Castroville, where Whitney had the opportunity to open her first salon. 

Jayson has always been close with his family as well. As soon as Jayson and his two brothers, Jarrett and Scott, graduated from John Marshall High School, his parents moved and joined the rest of the family in the Boerne area. His aunt and uncle, along with his grandmother, had already made the move from Helotes. 

Jayson’s biggest fan was his grandmother, Vivian McMullan, known to everyone as “Mema.” Jayson recalled, “It was a blessing in disguise when we decided to move to Cordillera as Mema’s health had taken a turn for the worse.” Jayson was able to spend a lot of time with Mema in the final months of her life, and it’s something that he holds close to his heart. 

Jayson and Whitney have always been close to their nieces and nephews, taking them on family vacations and supporting them at their various extracurricular activities. In addition to Whitney’s twin nieces, Jayson’s side brings yet another set of twin nieces, and four more lucky nieces and nephews. 

Jayson attended Southwest Texas State University, where he studied resource and environmental studies. His daughter, McKenna, is now following in his footsteps as a current nursing student at Texas State (“Southwest” was dropped years ago). After college, he returned to John Marshall High School in San Antonio, where he coached football for 10 years.  As he made his transition from the coaching world, his future father-in-law asked him if he would come work for the family construction business. Jayson was hesitant at first because he knew nothing about civil construction, but Mr. Carroll ultimately convinced him and he recalls being told, “Jayson, you could sell ice to an Eskimo. Come on board and I’ll teach you everything you need to know about the dirt business.” A few years later he would venture out on his own. Today, he owns a construction materials and freight company serving the commercial, residential, oilfield and highway industries. 

For Jayson, the competitive spirit that made him successful as a football coach has become one of his greatest assets in his business career. “I’m kind of an adrenaline junkie,” he admitted. “When I got done coaching, I had to have something to get my innards working. Sales still gives me that sense of competition when I close a deal or land a new customer. That stuff drives me.”

Likewise, Whitney has built a successful career of her own. After attending the Aveda Institute and becoming a licensed stylist, she worked in Midland before eventually returning to the San Antonio area. Today, she still owns her salon in Castroville and has built lasting relationships with clients who have followed her throughout her career and many miles across Texas. She still has clients that travel to Castroville from Lubbock, Austin, Corpus Christi, Midland, Comfort, Boerne and San Antonio. Known by some as the “blonde whisperer,” Whitney says the best part of her work is the people she gets to know along the way. “I love my clients so much,” she said. “That’s the only reason I still do it. I’ve had some of my clients for over 13 years.”

For much of their marriage, the Williams’ weekends were anything but quiet. They were constantly chasing the next adventure, whether that meant spending time at their beach house in Port Aransas, escaping to the mountains near Crested Butte, Colorado, attending their favorite concerts (including Cody Johnson and Kid Rock) or traveling with friends. “We didn’t spend a weekend at home for eight years,” said Jayson.

Now that they’ve sold their beach home, the couple has developed a love for the Bahamas, particularly the Exumas, where they enjoy boating, snorkeling, diving and exploring the islands. Whitney, who admits she’s not quite the adrenaline junkie that Jayson is, still loves these excursions. “I like to look at the water, and in that kind of water, I’ll actually get in,” joked Whitney. “We’ll dive for fresh conch and make it right there on the boat. You can sit on a sandbar and nobody comes by for hours.”

Jayson couldn’t agree more. “The southern islands are the most beautiful water in the world,” said Jayson. “The people are fantastic. Everybody greets you with a smile and they love to laugh. Then you throw the water on top of that, and it is paradise.”

One of their newest traditions is an annual trip to the Kentucky Derby, which began as a bucket-list experience three years ago. What started as a trip with Whitney’s brother, sister-in-law, father and friends, has become a favorite couple’s excursion.

Interestingly, the Derby has also become a chance for Jayson to embrace his eye for fashion. “I have to bring him back four notches,” laughed Whitney. “He does so good, but he’s a lot.” From pinstripe suits and fedoras to embroidered jackets and colorful outfits, Jayson enjoys making the Derby a fashionable experience — complete with cigar in hand. 

“And I do wear the big hats. I’m just not nearly as fun as my husband. I have to dress down because he’s so much,” added Whitney. “She’s just a lot prettier so she doesn’t have to work as hard,” replied Jayson warmly.

After years of always being on the go, the biggest surprise for the Williams has been how much they now enjoy staying home. Had someone predicted a few years ago that these self-proclaimed adventurers would soon become happy homebodies, they probably would have laughed at the idea. 

The couple moved to Cordillera Ranch in July 2025 after eight years in Castroville. They had previously owned a lake house, a beach house and even a home in Colorado, but after settling into their new home, their desire to leave changed. “I think people find it very odd that we have become such homebodies over the last year,” said Jayson. “Because if you knew us before, you wouldn’t believe it.”

But the reason is plain and simple. They finally found a place that gives them everything they love without feeling the need to go anywhere else.

“One of the things Michael McClellan, Director of Food and Beverage at the Club, asked was, ‘How are y’all enjoying it out here?’” recalled Jayson. “Bar none, it’s my favorite thing I’ve ever done. There’s something to do all the time. It’s like full-time summer camp for adults!”

As seasoned adventurers, the couple has embraced everything Cordillera Ranch has to offer, from the restaurants, wine dinners coordinated by Club sommelier Jeff Cohen and other special events to golf, the spa and spending time outdoors. Jayson even started learning to play golf after moving in, despite never playing before. “I felt like I needed to pick it up. I’m not very good, but I’m slowly getting better,” he said. 

Whitney, who played golf in high school, enjoys riding along and giving him a hard time. “He’s getting a lot better,” she agreed. “Like I said, that passionate trait he has… he’s really passionate about golf now.”

Their home itself reflects the two personalities that make them such a great match. Jayson gravitates toward Mediterranean influences, while Whitney prefers modern design. Their home blends both styles with limestone walls, a tiled outdoor space, a beautiful pool and a backyard where they can relax and watch the wildlife. “I love to sit outside and watch the axis come to the feeder,” offered Jayson. “It’s peaceful.”

Beyond the local wildlife, the Williams share their home with three equally fun-loving dogs: Australian shepherds Bailey and Bella and a toy schnauzer Emma, who happily sleeps in their bed.

Jayson says he finds it interesting that they have traded the morning golf cart rides down the beach to watch and listen to the waves endlessly break for a more slow-paced cup of coffee and conversation on the back patio watching the axis. “We never dreamed we could live in a place like this,” added Jayson. “But now I wouldn’t trade it for the world. We’ve found a place to call home.”

For two people who spent years searching for their next adventure, the Williams discovered something even better — a place they may never want to leave.