William McKinley Payton Jr.

William McKinley Payton Jr., age 71, passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at home with family at his side. He was a native of Salem, Indiana but lived most of his life in Fort Wayne. He was born to the late William McKinley Payton Sr. and Dorothy (nee. Baker) Payton Griffith on January 19, 1952.

Bill worked as a construction worker helping to build homes for many years and transitioned into roofing later in life where he had gained employment with Pettigrew & Sons Roofing until 1992.

He was a member of Freewill Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon until its closing. He continued his faith by worshiping with Jacobs Well. Bill enjoyed playing basketball running track, swimming, boxing, watching television and sports. It has stated, "If a computer was around, you couldn't get him off of it." Bill also enjoyed watching Bob Ross series on PBS television. He loved his children. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He leaves to continue his legacy, his children, Lisa Kern, Kimberly Reynolds, Pearley (Adam) Hahn, William Payton, Michael Payton (Nicole Lynch) and Kevin Smitley; siblings, Sue Jackson, JoAnn King and Mary Lou Cook; 9 grandchildren, Erica Elliot, Rachael Winters, Kiera Kern, Kayce (Derek) Beckering-Putnam,Hunter Hahn, Amanda (Jasmine) Smitley, Kayli Smitley, Kevin Smitley Jr., and Nevaeh Smitley; and 2 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

He was also preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn R. Payton in 2016; siblings, Cecil Cotton, Jarod Adams, Loren Stuart, Nancy Fultz, Marcella Jemmerson and Yvonne Cotton.

A visitation for William will be held Monday, April 3, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Lakeside Park, 1140 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46805. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM.

William will be laid to rest in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Cemetery, 1109 Hartzell Road, New Haven, IN 46774.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.mccombandsons.com for the Payton family.