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In July, to celebrate the Paynes’ 41st anniversary together, Cole, now on MAGIC 92.5, and Pat Prescott of 94.7 The WAVE gave on-air congratulatory shout-outs to the couple. Many of the artists did the same on their online concerts, including Brian Culbertson and Rick Braun. The Paynes also partnered on jazz concerts at Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula, California, one of which featured Eric Darius. The saxophonist and his wife, Lynne, became such good friends with the Paynes that they often vacationed together. “Willie and Kathy were there for some monumental occasions in my life, including when I surprised Lynne by proposing to her,” Darius said. “They were also there for our wedding.” The Dariuses were also the first people at Kathy’s doorstep at her Temecula home upon learning of Willie’s passing. Kathy and Willie moved from San Diego to that Wine Country community four years ago to be near their children and grandchildren. Although Willie’s days of indulging his greatest passion, coaching, were over, he still maintained his zest for mentoring young men, as well as all of his grandchildren. “His desire was for them to become good, decent, strong and positive contributors to society,” Kathy said. Willie certainly demonstrated those humanitarian qualities he wanted to instill in others. He served as president of CAI (Community Associates Institute), an organization of property managers, homeowners associations and vendors.

Whether you were a customer, He coached community Pop Warner and Little League a vendor, a friend or an employee, teams in Rancho Penasquitos.

Willie Payne always made you feel And, the foundation at Mt. Carmel High School created welcome, special, important, like family. the Kathy and Willie Payne

Jazz fans who knew him cannot athletic/academic scholarship awarded to student-athletes imagine a concert, festival or cruise every year in their honor. Some of the other without seeing him flash that big smile accolades Willie earned included and stretch out his huggable arms. Payne Pest Management being in the Top 100 Pest Control Companies in the United States nine out of 10 years running through 2019; No. 1 salesman at Terminix (out of 5,000 salesmen worldwide) five years running, and San Diego Minority Business Owner of the Year. He also chaired the 501(c)3 Ol’Loreece Foundation’s Permission To Talk: Men, Medicine and Music benefiting men’s health, which is producing a virtual webinar and tribute concert to Willie on Oct. 22. Eric Darius is scheduled to perform, and featured speakers will include a cardiologist/transplant specialist and vascular surgeon. There will also be prizes, giveaways and a live auction. Visit www.permissiontotalk.org for details. Whether you were a customer, a vendor, a friend or an employee, Willie Payne always made you feel welcome, special, important, like family. Jazz fans who knew him cannot imagine a concert, festival or cruise without seeing him flash that big smile and stretch out his huggable arms. And, we’ll all miss the constant exclamations of “Willie Payne!” every few minutes as he and Kathy made their way through crowded aisles, corridors and walkways at concerts, cruises and festivals. “That’s why he was so successful at whatever he did,” said Kathy. “And, he was always driven to be the best, and he demanded excellence.” Although it would have been difficult to find a venue large enough to accommodate a funeral for all of Willie’s family, friends, employees and colleagues, COVID-19 restrictions have prohibited such a gathering. So, Jenifer and Bill Wilson offered their family’s Wilson Creek Winery for a small private service, which was held on Aug. 12, and streamed live on Facebook. Willie’s immediate family, a few close friends and several artists attended the invitation-only service, which Pastor Jim Robeson from Community Bible Church officiated. Cole and Prescott jointly read Willie’s obituary. Payne family members eulogized their patriarch, including all three of his children, his grandson Kyle and sister-in-law Ginette Payne. Darius shared his memories of Willie, then played some of his favorite songs. Vocalists Rebecca Jade, Erin Stevenson and his son-in-law, Monty Seward, also performed. A few days later, Kathy, joined by family and close friends, chartered the Legacy boat and scattered her husband’s ashes off the San Diego coastline. During the ceremony, a school of dolphins suddenly appeared off the boat’s bow, seemingly welcoming him into the water.

As the sun set on the Pacific Ocean, attendees shared their memories of the man they respected and loved so much. They all agreed that Willie Payne ingrained in them the legacy he lived, which is to work hard to become a success, always give back to the community, and never put forth any effort that’s less than 110 percent. “I know that excellence is instilled in our team, and especially in our son Jason, president of our company. The legacy will continue; it’s in good hands,” said Kathy. Willie is survived by his wife, Kathy; children David Payne, Angela Seward (Monty Seward), Jason Payne (Misty Payne), and former son-in-law Phillip McFadden; grandchildren Kyle McFadden, Jazmine Payne, Jordan McFadden, Marcus Payne, Brandon McFadden, Niyla McFadden, Devin Payne and Kameron Payne; great-grandchildren Ke’lani McFadden and Jaxton McFadden; siblings: Leslie Payne (Ginette Payne), sister Brenda Sewell, John Payne, Nolan Payne, Rickey Payne, Eleanor Thedord (Claude Thedord); many cousins, nieces, nephews and very special friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Martin Payne and Michael Payne. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Willie Payne Jazz Musician Fund, paypal.me/pools/c/8rsUfpFIf4, which benefits unemployed smooth jazz musicians during the coronavirus pandemic. Rick Phetteplace and Marilyn Lingenfelter James with Willie and Kathy Payne; Willie Payne and saxophonist Jessy J; Willie Payne and jazz harpist Mariea Antoinette To honor his legacy, we’ve added a post on the Smooth Jazz News blog where you can contribute comments of your memories and feelings for Willie Payne, which is live now, smoothjazznews.com/ breaking-news-updates/.