Alvin R. Payne

Alvin R. Payne, age 69, of West, passed away early Thursday afternoon, March 7, 1996 at West Community Hospital. Funeral services were held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 10, 1996 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. John Crowder officiating, assisted by Dr. Mike Milburn, Rev. Isidore Rozycki and Rev. Ed Karasek. Graveside services were held 11:00 a.m. Monday at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, with Rev. Jack Gardner and Rev. Mike Milburn officiating. The family received visitors from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Mr. Payne was born January 13, 1927 in Fort Worth, the son of Alvin R. and Fanny (Evans) Payne, Sr. He resided in Fort Worth until 1953 when he moved to Beaumont. He then moved back to Fort Worth from 1960 until 1963 when he moved to West where he was a resident until his death. Alvin served with the United States Navy, Pacific Theatre, during World War II as a Radar man aboard the U.S.S. McGoffin, an attack transport ship. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4819 of West; also a member of the American Legion Post No. 478, where he served as Post Adjutant from 1968 to 1974. On June 21, 1947 he married Jonnie Warren. Later that year, he graduated from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, receiving his Texas Funeral Directors License and his Texas Embalmers License. He first became involved in the funeral business in 1943 in Fort Worth. He has owned and operated Aderhold Funeral Home, Inc. of West since 1963, where he took pride in serving the West area families with honor and dignity. Mr. Payne was ordained a Deacon in 1951 at the age of 24 while a member of College Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth. He had been a member of the First Baptist Church of West since 1963, where he served in numerous positions in Sunday School, church training and brotherhood. He served as the Minister of Music from 1963 until 1984. Mr. Payne proudly served his community. He was a two-term past president of the West Chamber of Commerce, being recognized as "Citizen of the Year" by the chamber in 1978. He was very active in the Kiwanis Club of West, having served as the club treasurer from 1964 until 1984. He was the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award in 1972; club president in 1988-89; Lt. Governor in 1991-92; Texas/Oklahoma Chairman in 1994-95; and a life member and recipient of the George Hixson Fellowship Award in 1995. Alvin was a member of the West Band Booster Club, a past two-term president, a strong supporter of West High School Athletics, serving as the announcer for local football games for over eleven years. He was also a member of the West League Booster Club, having served as treasurer from 1968 until 1984. Mr. Payne was a trustee of the West Hospital Authority from 1969 until 1980, having served as Secretary/Treasurer from 1969 to 1975, and as President from 1975 until 1980. He was a member of West Masonic Lodge #475, Master of the Lodge in 1976 and District Deputy Grand Master for the district in 1982. He was also a member of the Karem Shrine and Waco Scottish Rite Consistory. He was also a Trustee of the West Independent School District from 1971 until 1980 and served as Board President from 1975 to 1980. Alvin was a newscaster for KHBR's "West Area News" for fifteen years. He served as Trustee and Sexton of Bold Springs Cemetery Association from 1979 to the present time. In honor of his dedicated efforts to the betterment of the city of West, on July 15, 1984, then Mayor A.J. Muska proclaimed July 15 as "Al Payne Day" in the city of West. He is preceded in death by his parents, and by his daughter, Judy Lynn, on October 28, 1949. Alvin is survived by his loving wife Jonnie of West; three sons and their wives, Larry and Glenda Payne of West, Cappy and Lynette Payne of Mount Pleasant, and Robby and Carla Payne of West; five grandchildren, Valerie Payne and Timothy Payne of West, and Stephanie Payne, Bradley Payne and Shannon Payne of Mount Pleasant; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Serving as active pallbearers were Jack Felts, Jake Tucker, Charlie Harrison, Tommy Riggs, Jack Gardner, A.J. Muska, Derrel Carlile and Jim Lomax. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Plsek, Joe Zahirniak, Arnold Gerik, Jake Sulak, Deacons of First Baptist Church of West, and the morning coffee group. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund or to the West Community Hospital Memorial Fund.