Sergeant Payne was born October 24, 1917, in Fairmont, Georgia, to William and Alice Payne, where he grew up on a farm with his 3 sisters, Etta, Anna Lou, and Edith. He also had a brother who died shortly after birth.

He attended Georgia Tech for 3 years prior to World War II, majoring in engineering and pre medicine. He served during World War II in the Army Air Corp as a reconnaissance photographer in the European Theater, both in North Africa and Italy. 

Folloowing the war he was a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force stationed in France and Washington, D.C.
He retired honorably in 1965 after 20 years from Bowling Air Force Base.

He later worked as a news photographer for an independent agent and then Storer Broadcasting Company, based in Washington, D.C. He covered many news stories both at the White House and Capitol Hill and was a member of the White House News Photographers Association.

He married former U.S. Navy Lieutenant (jg) Mary Minor Driver in 1950 in Washington, D.C. He adopted Barbara Ann, her daughter from a previous marriage, and they had two children as well. Barbara Ann Payne died in December 2000. William Robert Payne, born December 22, 1951, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia. He is a physical therapist and graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University. Mary Alice Payne VanderWall, born November 27, 1952, at Walter Reed, lives with her family in Speedway, Indiana, near Indianapolis. Mrs. VanderWall is also a registered nurse (BSN, Indiana University, 2003) and a graduate of the University of Virginia (BSEd, 1974). Sgt Payne is also survived by his sister, Etta, and 5 grandchildren, Ashton and Erik Payne, and Joshua, Abigail, and Rebecca VanderWall. Sgt Payne died October 21, 1973 at Andrews Air Force Base. We are proud of his service to our nation and that he was our father.

PAYNE, ROBERT H
T/SGT USAF
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/24/1917
DATE OF DEATH: 10/21/1973
BURIED AT: SECTION 12  SITE B508-6
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

She was a U.S. Naval Nurse stationed in Guam following her graduation from the University of Virginia School of Nursing in 1945.

After leaving the Navy, she was married to Robert Harvey Payne in Washington, D. C., in 1950.

She was a stay home mother, homemaker, and volunteer in many organizations despite being challenged with multiple bouts with cancer, to which she lost one of her legs.

She had three children. The eldest is Barbara Ann Payne, from a previous marriage and adopted by Sergeant Payne. She died in December 2000.

William Robert Payne, born December 22, 1951, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia. He is a physical therapist and graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University. Mary Alice Payne VanderWall, born November 27, 1952, at Walter Reed, lives with her family in Speedway, Indiana, near Indianapolis. Mrs. VanderWall is also a registered nurse (BSN, Indiana University, 2003) and a graduate of the University of Virginia (BSEd, 1974). 

Lieuenant Payne is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Ashton and Erik Payne, and Joshua, Abigail, and Rebecca VanderWall. Lieutenant Payne died October 5, 1963, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. We are proud of her service and that she was our mother.

Yours truly,
Mary Payne VanderWall