William Raymond Payne, 88, of Lake City, died on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the V.A. Medical Center after an extended illness. He was born in Brown City, Michigan, to the late Floyd Sr. & Bessie Hillman Payne. He has lived in Lake City for the past 44 years. He served his country faithfully during World War II with the United States Army as a Combat Engineer with the 246th Unit, BN and took part in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy and later in all the major European battles including, the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. He was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather with a wonderful sense of humor that will be dearly missed by his family. He was a devoted member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and a member of the American Legion Post #57. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Floyd Payne Jr.; his sister, Vonda Ferguson and his great grandchild, Wayland Clay Touchton
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Janette Weston Payne of Lake City, FL; son, William R. Payne II (Linda) of Brooker, FL; daughters, Brenda Chapman (Rob) of St. Augustine, FL, Linda Conner & Betsy Touchton (Bruce) both of Lake City, FL, and Brandi Cervera (Jorge) of Livingston, MT; brothers, Clifton Payne (Deloris) of Metamora, MI and J.D. Payne of Lake City, FL; grandchildren, Mandi Gonzalez (Danny), Robbie Chapman (Michelle), Christi Mowrey (Dustin), Ryan Touchton (Pam), Joshua Payne, Jeremy Payne (Charisma) and Sara Conner; great grandchildren, Abby & Robert Chapman, Reagan & Shelby Touchton, Dominick & Devonte Payne and Tyson Mowrey also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:30 p.m., on Monday, February 20, 2012 at the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church with Pastor Louie Mabrey officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening, February 19, 2012 at the funeral home. GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME 3596 South U.S. Hwy 441, Lake City, Florida 32025 (386) 752-1954 is in charge of arrangements. Please leave words of love and encouragement for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com