Wilma “Willie” Louise Sebring Payne, age 97, passed away from this life and entered her heavenly home on January 1, 2022. Willie, the second daughter to Ed and Mildred Sebring, was born at home in Brookfield, Missouri on April 6, 1924. While attending high school, she and her older sister, Harriett, worked at Wolferman’s Grocery Store. She met a young man who offered her a ride home and this is where their journey began. On March 14, 1942 she married the love of her life, Phillip E. Payne Jr., in Independence Missouri. This was the beginning of Willie’s journey as a Navy wife. After the war, she finally joined Phil in Hawaii. It was there she started her 40-year career as a civil service employee. As a Navy wife, she and Phil were stationed in Hawaii, Denmark, Morocco and Pensacola. It was in Pensacola where they built their home together. During their 59 years of marriage, Willie and Phil had two sons, Phillip III, born in 1949 and John in 1953. Willie worked as a bookkeeper at the 7-up bottling company in Pensacola for several years. She also worked at N.A.S. Ellyson Field where she had the honor of pinning young flight students with their wings. She always took pride in pinning the wings on these young flight students who were without families. Willie had the honor of meeting several young men training for the astronaut program that went on to become famous astronauts known in history. Willie was a Chaplain’s secretary at N.A.S. Saufley Field Chapel and N.T.T.C Corry Station Chapel. She retired in 1989. She loved our Lord and was a proud member of Corry Chapel congregation. In retirement, she dedicated much of her time as a hospital volunteer at West Florida Hospital and Sacred Heart Hospital. She received the Hospice Caregiver of the year for State of Florida in 2002 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Wilma would entertain families and friends with a multitude of stories of her and Phil’s travels, and was notorious for her many jokes.
Willie was a beautiful woman in her appearance and soul. She had the gift of style and grace, and would always enjoy when someone would remark that they could not believe her age.
She was a generous, loving, and caring mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Phillip Jr., her parents, sister, Harriett Sebring Skouse and husband Don Skouse, brother-in-law, Bob Thompson, and sister-in-law Natalie Sutton. Willie is survived by her son Phillip III and wife Lisa; son John and wife Suzie, Granddaughters Joy Payne, and Heather Jodoin Horne (Brett); Grandson Nick Jodoin (Annie); Great Grandchildren Katelynn, Emmalynn, and Keith Horne and Jonathan Payne; Her sister, Fern Sebring Thompson, brother Jack (Margie) Sebring, brother-in-law Robert “Butch” Payne (Joan), sisters-in-law Ruth Favela and Eleanor Mizvesky, her devoted niece Donna Skouse Hyde (John), and her long-time friend Frankie Huff; along with a number of nieces and nephews. Willie never met a stranger and had a charismatic way about her. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service will be held at Corry Station Chapel on Saturday, January 8 at 10:30 a.m. with reception to follow. A private family inurnment at Barrancas Cemetery will be held later. (Those wishing to attend without a military ID need to park outside the gate (parking lot to the left of the gate), call 850-452-6376 and wait for escort). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Corry Chapel ROF. In the “For” line include the word “protestant”).
Philippians 1:3 Every time I think of you, I thank God for you.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Payne family.
