Walter L. Payne, 78, of Vandalia, died on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, at 9:10 a.m. at his residence.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Pastor PeeWee Denton, of New Horizon Church in St. Elmo, will officiate. Burial will be held at Cress Hill Cemetery in Hillsboro.
Mr. Payne was born on Jan. 29, 1946, in Hillsboro, to the late Hugh O. and Elizabeth (Chervanek) Payne. He attended Hillsboro High School, and married Novella Caulk on Sept. 14, 1972, in Hillsboro, and she survives.
Mr. Payne worked as a laborer at ASARCO Smelter in Taylor Springs for 41 years before retirement. He was of the Baptist faith, and his family and work were most important to him. He loved spending time with his family and especially his grandbabies. He also enjoed fishing, hunting, camping and flower and vegetable gardening.
Mr. Payne is survived by his children, Ronald (Debbie) Payne, Susan (James) Arnold, Michelle (Van) Gardner, Michael (Stacy) Payne, Elizabeth (Steven) Knepper, Ramsey Payne and April (Kenny) Gates; nineteen grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and siblings Harvey “Coke” (Kay) Payne, Shirley “Pat” (Joe) Page, Minnie (Paul) Keller and Linda (Elmer) Witt.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings Barbara “Peggy” Gurley, Buck Payne, Tony Payne and Charles Payne.
Memorials may be made out to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Condolences may be left online at basspattondeanfh.com.
