Obituaries

William W. Payton

William W. Payton Jr., age 67 of Russellville died on Monday, January 4, 2016, at CHI St. Vincent in Little Rock. He was born on June 14, 1948, in Fort Worth, Texas to William W. Payton Sr. and Rae Harbour Payton. He grew up in Fort Smith. Bill earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Arkansas Tech University. He was a chemistry teacher at Russellville High School for 39 years. He served as a member of the Russellville Civil Service Commission, Pope County Deputy Coroner, Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade Committee and was a board member of the Pope County chapter of the American Red Cross. He is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his life mate, Paula Jones, and her family. He was so proud of their nieces and nephew, Elizabeth Crunk and Jennifer and Ross Wetzel, great-niece, Annaross Wetzel, and great-nephew, Hudson Wetzel. He is also survived by his cousins, Bud Brannon of Fort Smith and Wally Williams of Jonesboro. The graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, January 8, 2016 at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith officiated by Ross Wetzel. The memorial service will be at 3:30 p.m., Friday, at the Shinn Chapel officiated by John Lonon and Wesley White and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Visitation will immediately follow the service in the chapel. Memorials may be made to Russellville Animal Shelter, 3115 S. Mobile Ave., Russellville, Arkansas 72802, The Russ Bus, P.O. Box 10231, Russellville, Arkansas 72812 or your local school's food-to-home program. The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.

Published January 8, 2016

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