William Charles Payne

William ‘Bill’ Payne, age 76, electrical engineer and former deacon, passed away peacefully at his daughters’ home on December 31, 2023. He was preceded in death by his father William and mother Albena (Mezera). He leaves behind wife Mary Brent (Hays), Daughters: Kristin (Perez) and Dawn, Granddaughters: Rebecca and Alyssa (Perez), brother Robert (Sue) Payne, sister’s: Margery (Douget) and Mary (Bochar), along with numerous nieces, nephews and a tight-knit church family.  

Bill was born and raised in Chicago and later moved with his family to Downers Grove, where he met Mary Brent. A Vietnam veteran, He served in the US Army as a radio engineer. After marrying, Bill and Brent built a home in St. Charles to raise their girls, where he lived until moving to Arizona this year to be with family. Bill worked for Western Electric, later AT&T then Lucent until retirement and enjoyed tinkering with computers and electronics. An avid angler, his catch of a lifetime was a giant hammerhead shark off the Outer Banks, NC. He also loved stargazing, deer and quail hunting, woodworking, playing guitar, chess and football, Go BEARS.  

He will be fondly remembered for his desire to help those in need, an intense focus towards problem solving, his MacGyver skills with duct tape and random objects, belting out hymns at top volume, and his goofy sense of humor.  

We invite family and friends to share your memories and a dish at a Memorial Potluck, February 18, 2024, at Valley View Baptist Church, 6N656 IL-25, St. Charles, IL 60174 at 12pm. For questions or directions, 847.742.9764. 

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