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Willis Payne

March 10, 1930 — March 3, 2015

Willis Payne

Mst Sgt Willis H. Payne (Ret) of Benton, passed away March 3, 2015 and is now in the arms of Our Holy Father. He was born March 10, 1930 in Conway, AR to the late Thomas Andrew Jackson Payne and Cora Lee Honeysuckle Payne Perkins.
Willis was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Saline County Lodge #2567, joining the fraternal organization in North Little Rock AR Lodge #942 in 1978. He received the Pilgrim Degree of Merit, the highest honor within the gift of this Fraternity. Willis proudly served in the United States Army and retired from the Army and US Postal Service after a combined total of over 30 years. He was an active member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Benton. He truly loved his Church family and friends.
Willis was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Delores Welsch; grandson, Corey Payne; two nieces; one nephew; and other close relatives.
Willis is survived by his loving wife of over 34 years, Alice Lawson Jones Payne of Benton, AR; three children, Deborah Bostrom and husband Steve of Dallas, TX, Michael Payne and wife Sandra of Jacksonville, AR, and Bradley Payne of North Little Rock, AR; two step-children, Alice Withers and husband Bill of Benton and Darrell Jones of Charlottesville, VA; sister, Clisty Brown and husband Bill of Ocala, FL; ten grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; one niece; three nephews; and six adopted nieces that thought he hung the moon. He had many family members and friends who loved him and will miss his sweet smile and quick wit, including his Guardian Angels, next door neighbors, Jarvis and Linda Harper and their children, Rachel Munns and Jon Harper. We couldn't have done without them these last four years. Missing him most of all, his loving companion, his fur baby, Lady Tara II.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 12th, 2015 from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Smith - Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market St., Benton, AR 72015. Funeral service, officiated by Bro. Scott, will be held Friday, March 13th, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at Smith - Benton Funeral Home. Reception will be served after funeral service. Burial will follow at Arkansas Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Family has requested memorials to be made to Saline County Humane Society or Moose Charities found at www.mooseintl.org. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

Visitation

MAR 12. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CDT)

Smith - Benton Funeral Home
322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015

Funeral Service

MAR 13. 10:00 AM (CDT)

Smith - Benton Funeral Home
322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015

Reception

MAR 13. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CDT)

Smith - Benton Funeral Home
322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
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