James Willard Payne, age 79, of O'Fallon, Illinois, born June 12, 1935 in Success, Ark., passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Mr. Payne served in the US Air Force, specializing in aviation electronics, for 4 years after graduating from high school. He had worked as a mechanical design engineer within the access control industry for many years. In his younger years, Jim enjoyed sailing and flying. He enjoyed his hummingbirds, was an avid vegetable gardener, a talented pen-and-pencil artist, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He attended, with his wife Pat, the events sponsored by the Senior Citizens' Club of O'Fallon.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hazel Waltz and Roscoe Payne; his dear mother-in-law Louise Bevirt; and his brother-in-law and friend (who introduced him to his future wife) Blaine Bevirt.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 54 years, Patricia Ann, nee Bevirt, Payne, of O'Fallon; children Lori (John) Emmerich of Freeburg, Ill., Scott (Kimberly) Payne of North Charleston, S.C., Dina Payne of Rochester, Ill., Chris (Ron) Gass of Shiloh; his three grandchildren Leah Emmerich, and Jim and Hannah Gass; his sister Wilma Tritely of Georgia; and his half-sister Gail Oliver of White City, Kans.

Memorial donations are suggested to the O'Fallon Community Food Pantry.

Visitation: Friends may call from Noon – 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 1, 2015 at the funeral home.

Funeral: 2 p.m., Monday, June 1, 2015, at the funeral home, with Mr. John Emmerich officiating.

Burial with military honors will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Illinois.