William L. 'Bill' Payne

William L. "Bill" Payne of Lowell passed away June 14, 2014. Bill was born on Dec. 18, 1935, to Clarence L. and Nell G. Payne in Salina, Kan. Bill spent most of his growing up years in Magnolia, Ark., where his parents owned and operated a jewelry and watch repair business for 45 years. He was most appreciative of those years in a small town where the important things were education, family, church and community. He was quite active in the Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the National Scouting Silver Beaver Award for his service to the organization in later years. Bill's military duty in the United States Navy gave him an opportunity to fly all types of aircraft, which he called pure pleasure, and would share it with anyone brave enough to go up in an airplane with him who was quite often his wife, Lou Payne. Bill attended the University of Arkansas and Texas A&M University which he was loyal to until the end. The old saying "Once an Aggie, always and Aggie" certainly applied here. He quite often asked that the Aggie War Hymn be played at his funeral. His years as a Walmart employee were important. Spending a number of years as store maintenance manager for 3,200 and counting stores provided him with interesting and challenging situations. He remembered them with great fondness and particularly the friends he made while there. He quite often said that while Walmart is not perfect, the people who worked there in Sam Walton's shadow make it the success story that it is. Bill's survivors include his wife of 55 years, Lou Payne of the home; son, William Payne of Bella Vista, Ark.; daughter, Meredith Whittle and husband, Allen, of Huntsville, Ark.; five grandchildren that includes, Allen, Dixie, Jacob, Connor and Dylnn; and granddog, Bowie, his faithful companion of later years. Memorial services will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Rogers. Interment will be in the family plot in Smackover, Ark. Condolences can be sent to P.O. Box 1002, Lowell, AR 72745 or [email protected]. Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.