John William "Bill" Payne

John William "Bill" Payne - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier March 20, 2019

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John William "Bill" Payne, Madison Parish, Louisiana

From Dallas Morning News March 20, 2019

John William "Bill" Payne passed peacefully surrounded in the love of his family on March 16, 2019. He was an outstanding man of warmth, wisdom and wit. As Norma, his loving wife of 56 years would say, "A true Southern Gentleman."

Bill was blessed to have celebrated his 90th birthday this year, born January 1, 1929, to John Fitzpatrick Payne and Katherine Edgerton Payne. He was adoringly raised in Tallulah, Louisiana by his parents and grandparents, Dr. & Mrs. E. Otis Edgerton. He graduated from Tallulah High School, LSU and SMU School of Law class of 1961. Bill proudly served in the United States Air Force piloting B-29s during the Korean War. He was fiercely loyal to his country and was honored to have served.

He married Norma Ann Eisenwine on February 17, 1963 and enjoyed a marriage filled with kindness, love and laughter. They raised a loving, dedicated family with their three children John, Greg and Lacey. The spouses of their children, Lana McCorvey Payne, Stephanie Grogan Payne and Gregory Patrick Strake were loved as his very own. Bill's grandchildren brought him so much joy and he knew each of them uniquely by taking sincere interest in the detail of their lives. They each adored their "Papa" - G. Patrick Strake, Katherine K. Payne, Jonah P. Strake, John W. "Jacob" Payne, Sophia A. Strake, Phoebe A. Payne and Olivia K. Payne.

Bill was a dedicated litigator for 45 years; the firm bearing his name, Payne & Blanchard remained a source of pride to him. His life led by the Holy Spirit showed his strong faith in God. Bill was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church for 46 years where he served multiple terms as Senior Warden and vestry member. Our precious "Bill - Dad - Papa", a man of unmatched honor and integrity will be dearly missed.

Memorial Service will be held on Saturday March 23 at 2 PM in the J.E. Keever Chapel - 408 N. Dallas St. in Ennis, Texas. Reception to follow at St. Thomas Episcopal Fellowship Hall, 901 Park St, Ennis, TX. A private family burial will be held at DFW National Cemetery March 25, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent in Bill's name to: St. Thomas Episcopal Church 901 Park St, Ennis, TX 75119 Or to - A-CROSS (A Christian Response of Shelter & Services) P.O. Box 8844, Ennis, TX 75120