Billie G Payne

A resident of Amarillo, Texas, Billie was born on August 23, 1938. She was married to Joe Dan Payne for 23 years before his passing in 1984. Billie was recognized as a smart, independent, and creative individual. She dedicated part of her life to a career in teaching. Initially, she taught for a couple of years in El Paso. Later, she returned to the profession for about five or six years following the death of Joe Dan, having previously taken a break to be a devoted stay-at-home mom in Houston.

Billie had a rich life filled with diverse interests and talents, including sewing, gardening, and a deep passion for classical music. She earned a master's degree in Organ performance, an accomplishment that reflected her exceptional musical scholarship.

Billie is fondly remembered as socially conscious and thoroughly informed. Her life was guided by her commitment to knowledge and community.

Preceding Billie in death were her parents, William and Betty Granger, her husband Joe Dan Payne, her younger brother Robert Eugene Granger, and her daughter-in-law Marilyn Ruth Payne.

She is survived by her son William Payne and his partner, Norma Hinelda Ramirez; her daughters Dana Clark and Elizabeth Musgrave; and grandchildren Jean Elizabeth Payne, Martha Arguelles, Austin Hatfield Musgrave, William Daniel Musgrave, and Nicholas Scott Musgrave. Billie is also survived by her brother James H. Granger, alongside numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home in Webster, Texas on Thursday, January 8, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with a graveside to follow.