Longtime Wellston area resident Thomas "Tom" Payne died Sunday at his home. He was 81.

He was born in Vian on March 19, 1917, the son of Jones Walter and Josie Fields Payne.

He had lived in the Wellston area since moving there in 1938 from Luther.

He served in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II and worked in civil service at Tinker Air Force Base. He also worked as a pipeliner.

He married Marjorie Archer in Oklahoma City on November 27, 1948 and they had six children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, four brothers and two sisters.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie, of the home; four sons, Mike Payne, Gary Payne, Lesie Payne, all of Wellston; Tommy Payne, Euless, Texas; two daughters, Josa Boydson, Luther; Sheri Landrith, Nicoma Park; brother, Jimmy Payne, Wellston; fourteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many other relatives.

Services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Wellston with the Rev. Alan Small officiating.

Burial will be at Wellston Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Chandler.

Published May 12, 1998.