Mr. William "Bill" R. Payne, Jr., 85, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at his residence. By his side was his Loving and Caring children. He was preceded in death and reunited in Heaven with his wife of 49 years, Barbara Leach Payne; his parents, William S. Payne, Sr. and Jennie Johnson Payne; and his brother, Paul J. Payne.

Born May 25, 1939 in High Point, he was a graduate of the William Penn High School Class of 1957. He spent over 40 years employed as a Truck driver with Colonial Motor Freight Lines and Shelby D. Trucking Company. He also spent many years working part-time as a Funeral Home Assistant with Moore's Funeral Home, Gilmore Funeral Service and Hargett Funeral Home. Upon retirement, he was employed with Triad Adult Day Care Center, Inc. and Phillips Funeral Service, Inc. until his health declined.

He was a Lifelong and Faithful Member of St. Paul Presbyterian Church, USA in High Point, NC where he served in many capacities over the years.

Fraternally, he was a LIFETIME Member of the following Organizations for over 50 years in High Point: Toussaint L'Ouverture Lodge #524 - Past Worshipful Master, Prince Hall Affiliated Masons & Past Worthy Patron - White Rose Chapter #157 Order of the Eastern Star, PHA, Past Excellent High Priest- Hiram Chapter #56 Holy Royal Arch Masons, PHA & Past Worthy Joshua- Guiding Light Court #7 Heroines of Jericho, PHA and Past Eminent Commander-King Cyrus Commandery #5 Order of Knights Templar, PHA & Past Chief Engineer- Nightingale Court #3 Order of Cyrene Crusaders, PHA and Past Illustrious Potentate & chartered member of Abdallah Temple #189 Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine, PHA & Past Advisor- Abdallah Court #166 Daughters of Imperial Court, PHA

In addition, he was also one of the 12 Founding Members of the Dedicated XII Service Organization.

Bill was an avid Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Lakers fan. He was definitely a "people person" and got along well with just about anyone as he was well known and respected in his community. Everyone called him "Dad" or "Pops". To Know Him Is to Love Him with his passionate sense of humor! He really enjoyed traveling with and having fun with his family and friends. Fellowshipping with his classmates and family were two of his favorite activities to do. He was blessed and fortunate enough to attend his last family reunion in July.

His most precious moments were spent as the passionate fan of his children and grandchildren in their academic, athletic, and personal pursuits, imparting the values of integrity, hard work, and perseverance in all things great and small.

Mr. Payne leaves a legacy of abundant fruitfulness through his sons, DeWarren "Raynard", William III "Bill" and Darian 'Boo" Payne; his daughter, LaSonya "Penny Payne" Van Eaton; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren; his two best friends and sisters, Joyce Payne Huff and Doris Payne Howze; his sister-in-law, Gloria J. Hardin; his brothers-in-law, James Hardin ,Sr. and Johnny Steed, Sr.: there are also several cousins, nieces and nephews in the Payne, Johnson-Graham and Leach families; his coworkers at Triad Adult Day Center and Phillips Funeral Service; as well his classmates of the William Penn class of 1957 and his church family at St. Paul Presbyterian Church; special friends, David and Dianne Peoples, David Matthews, James Manning and Arnold & Betty Phillips.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, September 26, 2024 at Williams Memorial C.M.E. Church, 3400 Triangle Lake Road with the Rev. Robert J. Williams officiating. Entombment will follow at Guilford Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to many friends and caregivers for their prayers, love, and support in recent months. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Memorial contributions be made in Mr. Payne’s memory to the Triad Adult Day Care Center 409 E. Fairfield Rd Suites A&B, High Point NC 27263.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.