William “Billy” Hugh Payne, 80, of Sylvester died Saturday, March 8, 2014, at his residence. A graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2014, at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Rev. Greg Hester will officiate with burial to follow. His grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 9, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Payne was born on July 5, 1933 in Cook County and was the son of William Frank Payne and Mittie Baker Payne, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Benjamin “Benny” Franklin Payne; three sisters, Betty Jean Crumbley, Barbara Sue Hickey Archer and Bonnie Marie Smith; and one step-daughter, Judy Hanson Faiola. He was retired from J. P. Stevens and Shaw Industries and also managed Enmark Stations. He was also a veteran of the United States Army.
Mr. Payne is survived by his wife, Ella Morrow Payne of Sylvester; five children, Robert Payne of Tifton, Randy Payne of Tifton, Cindy Payne Hall of Albany, Pamela Payne Fletcher of Tifton and Gina Payne Hill of Tifton; four step-children, Charles Hanson of Longview, Texas, Elizabeth Hanson of Omega, Jerry Hanson of Sylvester and Lahoma Hanson of Doerun; three brothers, Bruce Payne of Tifton, Robert “Butch” Payne of Tifton and Bobby Joe Payne of Benton, Texas; 26 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.