William Brant (Bill) Payne's Obituary
William Brant (Bill) Payne, Sr. went home to be with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Saturday night, February 6, 2016, surrounded by his family who loved and enjoyed him.
A Memorial Service will be held at Longview Christian Fellowship, 2101 W. Marshall Avenue, Longview, Texas, at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. Bob Cammack, loving Friend and former Pastor, will officiate. Poppy will be buried at Grace Hill Cemetery in Longview under the direction of Rader Funeral Home.
Bill was born in Sulphur Springs, to a pioneer Texas family on December 3, 1930. He was proud to be a fifth generation Texan and was the adored only child of William Crogan and Evelyn Irons Payne, who were both lifelong residents of Sulphur Springs. He married longtime friend and fellow classmate Ann Bridges, with whom he had five children.
Bill’s accomplishments were many. He graduated from Sulphur Springs High School and then earned a BS degree from Texas A & M University. Following that, he graduated from The Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He began his banking career at the Sulphur Springs State Bank, followed by Assistant Vice President of the Security Pacific Bank in Fresno, California. He, Ann and their children moved from California to Beaumont, Texas, where he served as the Senior Vice President of the American National Bank of Beaumont. Finally, they moved to Paris, Texas, where he served as the President and Chairman of the Board of Citizen’s State Bank and Greenville First National, Greenville, Texas. A talented entrepreneur, Mr. Payne was involved in several businesses over the years including banking, oil and gas production, ranching, automobile dealerships and hotel/motel ownership. He served as President of the Jaycees, Director of the East Texas Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Young President’s Club.
After Bill was widowed, he was introduced through a mutual friend to a widow from Longview who had three children. They married on December 2, 1972, thus beginning the 43-year-long Love Affair between Bill and Sister.
Bill’s greatest accomplishment was the unconditional love he gave to his family. He was an extremely devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was an interesting, smart, charming man. He was a great listener and counselor to his loved ones. He deeply cared about his family, praying for each one of them daily. His love was returned in great measure. Psalm 112 truly exemplified him. He loved the Lord and was a man of strong faith. Bill was a faithful member and a vital part of Longview Christian Fellowship Church. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, love of family and exceeding generosity. He was known for being able to complete the New York Times crossword puzzle, in ink, each day.
For the last few years of his life he and his wife, Sister, happily divided their time between Longview and Palm Springs, California, where they made many friends and attended Victory Christian Center in Rancho Mirage.
Poppy was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Ann and her parents, his beautiful, loving daughter-in-law Debra Boswell Payne and his precious son-in-law Johnny Harville.
Survivors include Beloved wife, Clara Hurst Payne, eight cherished children:
Kathy Payne Harville of Paris; William Brant Payne, Jr.; Grace Patterson LaMaster and husband, Dennis; Lee Bridges Payne and wife, Donna; James Alan Payne, all of Longview; Julianne Patterson Setzer, and husband, Frank of Paris, Texas; Timothy Andrew Payne of Los Angeles, California; Burke Patterson and wife, Laura of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and special adopted son David Bruyere of Longview.
Poppy will be missed by 24 grandchildren: Emily Harville and husband Gabe Montoya; Keller Harville; Molly Harville and husband Will Walker all of Paris, Texas; Ellen Harville and husband Jesse Llamas of Little Elm, Texas; William Brant Payne, III and wife, Amber of Longview; Michael Payne, Austin Payne and wife Jill, all of Lubbock; Ann Payne and husband Brooks Alvestad of Longview; Laura LaMaster Whitworth; Leslie LaMaster and husband Troy Black; Julie Katherine LaMaster and husband Chris Englerth; Taylor and Zach Vaught; Grace LaMaster; Clark LaMaster; Jane Anne LaMaster; Scott LaMaster,; L.F. Payne; Collin Payne, all of Longview; John Crabtree; Beth Crabtree and husband Kris Estep, all of Paris; Anne Crabtree and husband Jason Mann of Edmond, Oklahoma; Mary Margaret Patterson, William Payne Patterson and Sara Grace Patterson, all of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; as well as 31 great grandchildren.
Others who will miss him are his beloved brother-in-law Alec Bridges and wife Carol and their family of Sulphur Springs; the beloved family of nephew Jim and Tweet Hurst of Longview; the beloved family of niece Grace Anne Hurst and husband, Ray Woodruff of Dallas; his Right Hand Man and Longtime Friend Rev. Billy and wife Vernell Flowers and precious dog, Doc.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Bill to either:
World Outreach Fellowship, 2011 West Marshall Avenue, Longview, TX 75604 or
Hwy 80 Rescue Mission, 3117 W Marshall Avenue, Longview, TX 75604 or any charity of your choice.
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