Our Father left this life peacefully, in his sleep, surrounded by his
family and by angels - his parents and sister - who greeted him
joyously and escorted him to Heaven.
Dr. Payne was born in Pensacola, Florida, and grew up there. He
graduated from Pensacola High School and received both his
undergraduate and medical degrees from Tulane University in New
Orleans, Louisiana. He served his residency as a surgeon at Charity
Hospital in New Orleans and, after completing his military service in
the U.S. Navy in Lafayette, Louisiana, returned to Pensacola in 1954
and practiced surgery there until 1982 at all area hospitals. He was
exceptionally proud when Sacred Heart Hospital named an office
building in honor of his father, Dr. W.C. Payne, Sr., whom he revered.
After leaving private practice, Dr. Payne joined the faculty of the
Louisiana State University's Medical School in Lafayette and served
until 1996, attaining the rank of full Professor of Surgery. Dr. Payne
was a lifelong member of the American College of Surgeons and the
American Medical Association. He loved music, especially John Philip
Sousa marches, accordion music, and polkas. He was active his
entire life in boating, swimming, camping, hiking, bicycling,
waterskiing, exploring the West in his RV, and driving sports cars and
his RAM truck "Big Red." He was avidly engaged in the Boy Scouts of
America, Gulf Coast and Evangeline Parish Counsels, and spent
many happy times at Camp Euchee in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. He
was a Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow, Arrowman of the Year,
an Eagle Scout and received the Silver Beaver award. Dr. Payne was
a loyal member of the Rotary Clubs in Pensacola, Lafayette and
Monroeville, serving as president as his father had before him of the
Pensacola club and was distinguished as a Paul Harris fellow. Dr.
Payne achieved 26 years of perfect attendance by visiting clubs all
over the country and making new friends everywhere he went. He
was active in Christ Church in Pensacola and served on the board of
the Pensacola Episcopal Day School from 1954 until 1975, including
a period as Chairman.
Dr. Payne and his wife of 29 years, Martha Johnson Payne, moved to
Monroeville, Alabama in 2001. They faithfully attended the Mexia
Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and greatly enjoyed
greeting worshipers at the front door. For his 90th birthday, Dr. Payne
acquired a golf cart he proudly named Hole-In-One, using it to
continue his long morning and evening walks with Martha, their two
dogs, and their cat Little Sister. Dr. Payne dearly loved animals and
all aspects of the natural world. The views from their porches, the sun
rising and setting on the forest and its inhabitants, the air filled with
birdsong and the sounds of windchimes, never failed to bring him
deep peace and happiness.
But of all these things, his greatest love was for his family, to whom
he was extraordinarily committed, loyal and devoted. Dr. Payne was
preceded in death by his parents, Dr. W.C. Payne, Sr. and Trudy
Payne, and his sister, Vivian Payne Halperen. Dr. Payne is survived
by his wife, Martha Johnson Payne, his five children, Karen Payne of
Houston, Katharine Andrews of Pensacola, Kristen Dodge of
Minneapolis and Stockholm, Sweden, Clif Payne of Pensacola and
Karla Barkley of Pensacola, eight grandchildren and four great-
grandchildren. He leaves behind his faithful and loving canine
companion, Gizmo.
In lieu of sending flowers, Dr. Payne would have preferred that
donations be made to the Humane Society in accord with his strong
love for animals and pleasure in their companionship. Visitation will
be Tuesday July 24, 2012 at 9:30am until service time at 11am at the
Mexia Baptist Church in Mexia, Alabama with Rev. David Johnson
and Rev. Wayne McMillian officiating. Friends are welcome at
graveside services at 4pm at St. John's Cemetery in Pensacola,
Florida, followed by interment.
The family extends its heartfelt thanks to Dr. Tom Lane of Monroeville
and Dr. Amos Prevatt of Pensacola.
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