St. John's Cemetery Individual Record
Walter Clifton Jr. MD Payne
(May 10, 1922 -- July 22, 2012)
| Section: | 25 |
| Space: | 3 |
| Lot: | 1 |
| Parents: | Walter & Trudy Payne |
| Spouse: | Martha Johnson Payne |
| Place of Birth: | Pensacola FL |
| Military: | Korean War |
| Occupation: | Medical |
| Comments: | Doctor; USN |
| Owner: | Payne |
| 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. | |