A silence fell on Monday morning, May 19, 2025 as William "Bill" Lewis Payton, Sr., age 79, of Stevensville, PA passed away at his home.

William was born on a rainy Monday, September 10, 1945 in Onapa, OK.  He was the son of the late William Lloyd Payton and Vesta Liles Payton. He was a graduate of the Checotah High School in Oklahoma.

After high school he honorably served his country in the US Army in the Vietnam War.  He was an Infantry Man with the Big Red One Specialty Unit, which is the oldest division of the US Army.  During his service time was awarded two Purple Hearts and was also an expert marksman

William attended Keystone Community College and the Elmira College.  He was one of the first hires at Masonite when it opened.  He was employed there for 54 years in the HVAC Maintenance department.

He was a member of the Haighs Pond V.F.W. Post #6824.  William took great pleasure in putting on black powder demonstrations during Pow Wows and Rendezvous.  He was a skilled trapper, boarded horses and had a green thumb in the garden.  You would often see him "Blue Light Shopping" at the K-Mart and was an eclectic collector of many things.  He loved to talk and was a great conversationalist as he was known as the man who had many stories for the main story.  His knowledge of many things allowed him to be a jack of all trades, master of some.

William grew up after the depression when times were hard.  He was a hard worker and provider since a young age with a diligent work ethic.  He is survived by his adoring children, William L. Payton, Jr. and his wife, Naomi, Amy Payton Backo, Tobey John Payton, and Katey Payton; his grandchildren, Amber Coyne (Johnny), Harley Backo, Lydia Payton, Olivia Payton; his great-grandchildren, Everly Durkin and Declan Backo; and his first wife, Harriett Payton.  He is also survived by his cousins, Velinda, Shannon, and Andy; his best friend and Army brother, Wayne Keeney; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, LuAnn Mollica Payton; his siblings, Betty, Clarence, Clinton, Rosie May, Beatrice, and Clara; and his other best friend and Army brother, Michael Bajish, Sr.

Funeral Services for William will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 12:00 noon from the Sheldon Funeral Home, 155 Church St., Wyalusing, PA with Reverend Helen Learn officiating.  Interment will follow at the Stevens Cemetery in LeRaysville, PA with a Military Honor service conducted by the members of the Haigh Pond V.F.W. Post #6824 and the Wyalusing American Legion Post #534.  Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in William's name to the Haighs Pond V.F.W. Post #6824, 1468 Haighs Pond Road Rome, Pa 18837.

Online condolences may be made at www.SheldonFuneralHomes.com.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital staff, the VA staff, the Guthrie Hospice staff.

Just remember what Bill would tell you, "Everything will be better tomorrow."