William H. Payne, 86, a resident of Fairhope, died Tuesday, March 16, 2010 in Daphne.
He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church. He proud to be a U.S. Naval Aviator during World War II.
He received a Bachleor's Degree in aeronautical engineering from Auburn University where he has also been recognized as a collegiate pole vaulter. He received a Master's Degree in business administration from Georgia College.
He was a recipient of the Volunteer of the Year for the State of Alabama. He was a member of the Single Tax Corp and the Fairhope Yacht Club.
He was a board member of the Fairhope Industrial Board, Fairhope Airport, Marietta Organic School of Education, and Fairhope Museum of History. He acted as a consultant at Fairhope High School for the establishment of Pre-Engineering Curriculum.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen McCants Payne.
Survivors include a daughter, Rebecca Payne Chisolm of Reston, Va.; son, Michael Prewett Payne of Fairhope; one granddaughter, Carra Michela Chisolm of Reston, Va.; niece, Debra McCants of Silverhill; three nephews, Daniel McCants of Fairhope, Steve McCants of Greensboro, N.C., Leonard Perry of Burlington, Vt.; and longtime friend, Lucille Fracas of Fairhope.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 22 at St. James Episcopal Church.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Honor Flight Birmingham, 1401 Doug Baker Blvd., 107-185, Birmingham, AL 35242 or Baldwin County Special Olympics, c/o Baldwin County Board of Education, attn. Lynn Rockwell, 1091 “B” Ave., Loxley, AL 36551.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Fairhope.
