Harold Payne's Obituary
Harold Franklin Payne, son of Frank and Emma Wilkerson Payne, was born October 21, 1924, in New Castle, Colorado. He departed this life Saturday, November 26, 2011, in Christian Health Care South, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-seven years, one month, and five days. On November 24, 1948, he was united in marriage to Wanda M. Heck, and to this union one daughter and one son were born. His parents preceded him in death. Harold is survived by his loving wife of sixty-three years, Wanda, of the home; a son, Arnie Payne, of Springfield, Missouri; a daughter, Arlene Bateman, and her husband, Gary, of Conway, Missouri; six grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was born and raised in New Castle, Colorado, and then entered the United States Marine Corps where he served in both World War II and the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the Marines, he returned to his loving wife and two small babies in Colorado. He worked as a patrolman for the Colorado State Highway Patrol for eighteen years. He and Wanda then lived in California for a few years, and Harold managed a Motel 6. After moving to Springfield, Missouri, he managed the West Wood Apartments for several years. He and Wanda moved to the Lebanon, Missouri area in 1998, and made their home with their daughter and her husband, for the last few years. Harold had professed his faith in Christ and was a member of First Assembly of God in Lebanon. His faith was very important to him and he enjoyed the fellowship his church offered him. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, bowling, and reading. He loved his family dearly and they were extremely blessed to have him in their lives. Harold was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and all of his accomplishments and know that he had a full and satisfying life.
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