William M. Payton, Sr., 63, Marion, went to be with the Lord in his home at 11:10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. He was born in Buffalo, New York, on April 22, 1955, to the late William E. Payton and Rena T. (McAllister) Payton Slaughter.
Following his graduation from high school, William continued his post-secondary education at Villa Maria College (Buffalo), where he received his associate’s degree in 1987. While in New York, he was employed with Fleet Bank of New York, EEO Division, and GTE Telephone Company. After his family moved to Indiana, he worked at the Marion VA Hospital as a GS5 nursing assistant.
William was a born-again Christian who enjoyed attending church. He was a former singer and member of Voices of Deliverance, under the leadership of Miss Donna Chapman. William was also a choir member of Expressway Assembly of God and Word of Life Church (all in Buffalo, NY).
He always had a love for the game of tennis and belonged to a tennis club. Shopping, especially for clothes, was also one of his favorite pastimes. He loved his family and friends dearly and enjoyed spending time with them. Telephone or in-person conversations with Aunt Dot, James Robins, Carmen Hunter, Helena McGee, Beverly Overton, and brothers Tony and Joe were particularly special to him.
He is survived by sons, William M. (Valarie) Payton, Jr., Marion, Eric E. (Shavaun) Payton, Niagara Falls, New York, and Aaron J. Payton, Marion; grandchildren, William Payton, III, Marion, Adrianna Payton, Marion, and Grace Higgins, Niagara Falls, New York; siblings, Joseph Payton, Antonio Payton, and Nadine Payton, all from Buffalo, New York; god-children, Rena Payton, Marion, Nicole Williams, Buffalo, New York, and Amanda Payton, Buffalo, New York; and dearest friends, Darneda Wise, Penny Goodman, Diane Buchanon, Joy Rigney (nurse manager), Bonnie, and Sarah.
Preceding him in death was his close friend, Lois Baldridge.
The family will receive visitors from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2018, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
Services to celebrate William’s life will be at the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 30, 2018, with Chaplain Randy Thornburg officiating. Entombment will follow at Grant Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, 1820 W. Webster Ave., Ste. 304, Chicago, IL 60614.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.