Wilford “Willie” H. Payne, 90, passed away March 22, 2018. He was born in Danville, Virginia to the late James H. and Lessie Prather Payne and was also preceded by a daughter, Karen Owen. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy during WWII and later retired with 32 years service from Norfolk Southern Railroad. Willie was a former member of the Commodore Chorus, a former Deacon at Great Bridge Free Will Baptist church, a Deacon and former school board member at Bethany Free Will Baptist Church, and member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 72 years, Doris W. Payne; daughter, Margaret Payne Curtis; son, Wilford Dean Payne and his wife Sanda; 6 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; brother, Ernest Payne of Danville, VA; and son-in-law Shawne Owen.
A celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 11am at Bethany Free Will Baptist Church, 2430 Azalea Garden Rd. Norfolk, 23513 with burial to follow in Rosewood Memorial Park. The family will be receiving friends the evening prior from 6 – 7:30 pm at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Rd. Chesapeake, 23320. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to view the Book of Memories and offer a note of condolence to the family.