Hansel Payne

H. B. Payne, age 90, passed away on April 28, 2011 at his home in Trussville, AL. He was born September 13, 1920 to B.A. and Era Payne in Ashville, AL. He graduated from Brookwood High School class of 1939. He retired after 42 years with Virginia Bridge, American Bridge and US Steel. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Trussville where he taught Sunday school for many years. While serving as a Sergeant with the 276th Combat Engineers he received a Presidential citation as well as the Purple Heart when he was injured on the Bridge at Remagen. H.B. was the Past Master of the Georgiana Davis Masonic Lodge # 338 in Trussville, where he was the District Lecturer for the State of Alabama; he was also a Zamora Temple Shriner. He served on the Trussville City Council where he made many civic contributions and was instrumental in helping with the building of Trussville's first ball parks. He was an avid golfer and a member of Grayson Valley Country Club where he played until the age of 90. He was a loving husband, father, and friend to all who knew him. H.B. is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Sam Payne; sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and Jessie Darnell; and grandson, Marty Bernard Payne. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Venie Lee Martin Payne; daughters, Mary Alice Morales (Juan), Paula Hopton-Jones (Eddie); sons, Arthur Payne (Deborah), Charles Payne (Linda), and John Payne (Sally), 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; and his sister, Mary Frances Looney (Edgar). Services will be held on April 30, 2011 at 12:00pm at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 10:30am until 12:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donation be made to the First Baptist Church of Trussville or the Trussville Masonic Lodge. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.