Hoyt F. Payne

Hoyt F. Payne, age 90, entered into Heaven’s gate on February 11, 2018. He was born November 6, 1927 in Russellville, Arkansas to A.A. and Pearl Payne. Hoyt attended Porter Public School and graduated from Muskogee Junior College with his Associate’s Degree in Business. Hoyt proudly served his country in the US Army and later received an Honorable Discharge. On January 4, 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, Alma Lee Acree, his wife of 39 years. Hoyt worked for Union Pacific Railroad until he retired at the age of 58. After Alma passed away in 1987, he found another love in his life, Betty Wright. They were married 23 years until Betty passed away in 2014. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, driving the ski boat, playing dominoes and cards, reading, and OU football, but his greatest love was spending time with his family. Hoyt spent many years as a song leader and in leadership roles in the Church of Christ. Hoyt’s family will always remember his faith in God, his kindness to others, his jokes that he thought were funnier than anyone else, and his love for his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, A.A. and Pearl Payne; his first wife and mother of his children, Alma; his second wife, Betty; his sister, Jewel Butler; his brother, Cletis Payne; and his son-in-law, Randy Williams. Hoyt is survived by his daughters, Joy Williams of Enid, Gayle Honea and husband Rusty of Rogers, AR, and Jennifer Martin Draughon and husband Mark of Muskogee; two stepdaughters, Connie Watson and husband Marion of Natural Dam, AR, Jennifer Cox and husband Gary of Fairbanks, AK; two sisters, Helen Wilson and Jo Decker both of Tulsa; along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, other family members and friends. The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30pm, Thursday, February 15, 2018 at Cornerstone Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorials be made to Colorado Christian Services and to missions at: http://www.acrocenter.org/give/ Hoyt’s life will be celebrated at 2PM, Friday, February 16, 2018 at Muskogee Church of Christ, 3206 N York Street, with Minister Ron Lashley officiating. Pallbearers are his grandsons, Nick Honea, Tyler Williams, Chase Williams, Kyle Martin, Zach Martin, sons-in-law, Rusty Honea and Mark Draughon. Spiritual pallbearers that greeted him in heaven, Tommy Lashley, Fred Guinn, JT Anderson, Johnny Anderson, Charlie Cook, Gerald Tackett, and Randy Williams. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery immediately following services.

Hoyt F. Payne

November 6, 1927 - February 11, 2018