William B. '"Bill"' Payne

Boonville - William B. Payne, 90, of Valley View Drive, formerly of Main Street, passed away on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare, New Hartford. Mr. Payne was the founder and former owner of W.B. Payne Insurance Agency, Inc. of Boonville. Bill was born in Lowville on February 15, 1920, a son of Charles L. and Anna (Arthur) Payne. He grew up on the Payne homestead farm in Martinsburg, and graduated from Lowville Academy. He furthered his education by attending and graduating from Cazenovia College. After his schooling he participated in the operation of the Payne farm. On August 1, 1946, William was united in marriage with Aileen B. Havens at the Martinsburg Presbyterian Church. The couple settled in Martinsburg and later moved to Amsterdam, NY, where Bill was the manager of G.L.F. He later was employed at John Larabee Company, an industrial supply house. In 1953, Bill and Aileen moved to Boonville, and in 1958 he founded the W.B. Payne Insurance Company. With his brother Clarence, he also operated the Payne Construction Co. of Boonville. Over the years his insurance agency grew to become one of the largest of its kind in north central New York. In 1963 he founded the Kortenaer Realty Co. of Boonville. In 1980 he established W.B. Payne Agency of Lowville. Bill retired in 1985, leaving the operation of the business under the ownership of his son, David, grandsons William and Ryan Payne, and granddaughter Jennifer. Mrs. Payne, who was also employed in the operation of the insurance agency for many years, died on July 9, 2002. Mr. Payne was a longtime active member of the Boonville United Methodist Church. He was a 65-year member and past Master of Boonville Uriel Masonic Lodge #165 F&AM, served as secretary of Boonville Kiwanis Club, and was a life member of the New York State Grange. Professionally, he was a member of IIANY. Bill was known far and wide for the love he had for his family, hunting, fishing and the outdoors. For fifty-nine consecutive years he enjoyed traveling to northern Canada with his family and friends to go fishing. He also enjoyed hunting many kinds of deer, and was president and a member of Muskrat Creek Club of Forestport. He, Aileen and his family greatly enjoyed the time they spent at Payne's summer camp on Fourth Lake at Eagle Bay. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, David and Joyce Payne of Boonville; three grandchildren, Jennifer Payne Shoemaker and her husband, Brian, William F. Payne, and Ryan Payne and his wife, Dara, all of Boonville; and four great-granddaughters, Haven and Quinn Shoemaker and Ireland and Englyn Payne. He was predeceased by a son, Daryl W. Payne in 1970, and three brothers, Clarence, Charles, and Phillip. Mr. Payne's family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. William Ryan and the entire staff at Boonville Medical Office of Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare for the kind and compassionate care they gave to Bill over the years. His funeral will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Boonville United Methodist Church, Main Street, where the Rev'd William A. Mudge, pastor will officiate. Interment will be in Boonville Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday 4-8 p.m. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler Street, Boonville. Memorial contributions may be made to Boonville Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, PO Box 64, Boonville, NY 13309, Daryl W. Payne Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Adirondack Central School, 110 Ford Street, Boonville, NY 13309, or to the Boonville United Methodist Church, Ann Street, Boonville, NY 13309. Please use the "Sign Guestbook" link below to leave on on-line message of sympathy.