William Randall Payne

It is with great sadness, the family of William (Bill) Randall Payne announces his passing to Heaven on Monday, August 30, 2021.

Everyone who knew Bill knows that he was an avid outdoorsman. This hunting season, with Bill's stand sitting empty, the deer can breathe and rest a little easier. If fish could sigh, it would be deafening. The fish can now slide through the water without fear of Bill’s fishing prowess. Even the granddaddy fish were not safe. Bill’s love of snakes was widely known and not exaggerated in the least. Snakes would try to get away from him! Especially the rattle snake that he grabbed by its tail while it tried to enter it's den. Bill pulled that snake out of the hole and as it strikes at his face, Bill caught it in mid air with his other hand. He said, “You just have to picture it in slow motion first.” Folks, don’t try that at home. Arrowhead hunting was another passion of his. Rarely did he ever come home empty handed.

Bill was a fairly quiet man. His love for his family and friends ran deep and true. He may not have always expressed it in a traditional way, but it was there. Not only would he give you the shirt off his back, he would give you the pants too, if you needed them.

He leaves behind his daughter Ashley Rawls (Ben) of Coral Springs FL, his son Joseph Payne of Ocala FL, his son Hunter Payne of Ocala FL, his daughter Kendall Howard of Warner Robins GA, his step-daughter Trisha Lindsey of Byron and six grandchildren (number seven on the way!). Also, he leaves behind his mother Peggy Payne of Warner Robins GA, his sister Tammy Dunagan (Norman) of Aiken South Carolina, his brother Keith Payne of Warner Robins GA, his favorite uncle Sandy Payne of Warner Robins GA, his aunt Donna Mathis (Wayne) of Byron GA, his aunt Shirley Taylor of Warner Robins GA, his aunt Mary Ann Pickard (David) of Warner Robins GA, his aunt Millie Sorrow of Centerville GA, numerous cousins and friends, and his long time companion and friend, Gina Swartley. And his closest friends Debbie Taylor, Robert Hill, Misti Carr, Thomas Mercer, Duke Richards, Jessica Lofton, and Michael Lofton.

He is preceded in death by his father William B Payne, grandfather W.W. Payne, his grandmother Alice Payne, and grandfather James C Sorrow, grandmother Lillian Smith Payne, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins.

If love could have saved him, he would have lived forever.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, located at Benard Drive and Lois Dr., in Warner Robins GA.

Learn more about the measures McCullough Funeral Home is taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests at www.mcculloughfh.com. There you can also sign an Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.