William Kenneth Payne, Jr. passed away suddenly at home on March 4, 2023. He is preceded in death by both of his parents, Josephine Vernette Ferrell Payne and William Kenneth Payne, Sr., both of Mt. Hope, WV, his maternal and paternal grandparents, and his baby brother Richard Alexander Payne. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Payne of Lubbock, sister Tammy Clifford Mason of Saint Albans, WV, brother David Payne, niece Donavia J. Beltran of Saint Albans, WV, uncles Terry Ferrell of Oakhill, WV, and Phillip Ferrell of Charlotte, NC, Aunts Catherine Hooper of Brooklyn, NY and Mary Payne-Otey of Reno, NV, his step-children Tonya and Roger McIntosh of Westminster, CO, a host of cousins, and his dogs Murphy and Missy.
William was born in Mt. Hope, WV on June 12, 1960. He spent his early years as a military dependent all over the world but settled in Lubbock in the late 1970s. William met the love of his life in 1982 and they spent 36 years married before his passing. He worked for UPS and retired after 28 years. William was the favorite step-uncle to a multitude of nieces and nephews and an incredibly fun brother-in-law. He was a die-hard fan of the Minnesota Vikings, Houston Astros, and West Virginia Mountaineers; however, he would watch almost any sport and team on tv. William was a champion for the humane treatment of animals, particularly dogs, and had seemingly unlimited love and patience for them. He was a regular fixture in Texas Hold’em Tournaments and would celebrate and commiserate with a shot of Tuaca and a shout of Skol! His larger-than-life energy and smile will be sorely missed and never forgotten.
The family will receive visitors at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designs located at 6025 82nd Street from 4 pm – 6 pm on Saturday, March 11, 2023. You may sign William’s virtual guest book or share a memory of him with his family here on this page.
Donations to The Haven Animal Shelter are requested in lieu of flowers
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