Billie Frances Payne

BILLIE FRANCES VAN ORMAN PAYNE was born April 6 1928 in Chelsea, Oklahoma in less than ideallic circumstances. She was loved by her mother and grandmother until they passed away from tuberculosis and Billie, by the time she was 2 years old, also had tuberculosis and was given an opportunity to survive. She not only survived in the Oklahoma Children's Hospital for the next 6 years of her life, she flourished with an uncommon determination in one so young which would become the hallmark by which she would live her entire life. At 10 years of age she was brought to Tiger/Coolidge, Arizona to live with a cousin. She described running barefoot over the blooming desert hills. She couldn't get enough of the sun on her skin and the freedom of running. Billie did well in school. She worked as a movie seater, and worked at the burgeoning Coolidge Newspaper. She graduated valedictorian of her high school class and members of the community granted her money to attend ASU, then called Tempe Normal School. It was there Byron G. Payne met her and they married August 21, 1948. Billie is survived by her four children, Charlotte L. Payne-Ervin-Weldon, Byron Gordon Payne, Jr., Rex E. Payne and Susan E. Payne-Arevalo-Bustamante, their husbands and wives; 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Billie was always active in her community, a member of the Tempe Congregational Church, Tempe Women's' Club, a Social Sorority, and an avid golfer. She played many tournaments, and charity events throughout the State of Arizona. Billie loved to travel and her only concession to getting older was playing Bridge rather than golf. She cared for Byron to the end of his life. Billie passed on to her reward April 16, 2016. She rests gently and kindly in the arms of posterity and love. She was the center of our family. She gave us strength and courage. She will be sorely missed.

Arrangements under the direction of Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, Chandler, AZ.