Paul Howard Payne

After high school, Dad attended the University of Oregon until WWII broke out and interrupted his education while he served in the US Army Air Corps as a bombardier on a B-17 until the end of the war. During this period, he married Dorothy Loraine Coomer on November 4, 1944, in Portland, OR. Unfortunately, Mom preceded Dad in death by 12 years. He finished his schooling at the University of Denver, then returned to Oregon, to Salem, and lived there for the duration. As a paint chemist, he was instrumental in the development of highway traffic paint (his formula is still used today on all the highways in the western US.

Aviation was his true passion. He was very active in the local aviation community, volunteering at four different air museums in the area. Dad was able to develop a method of removing the fireproofing from the "Spuce Goose" at Evergreen Air museum, and spent countless hours working on that plane.

His latest passion has been the restoration of the "Lacy Lady", the B-17 that spent many years atop a gas station in Milwaukie, OR, taking place at a small hanger/museum, The B-17 Alliance at the Salem, OR airport.

Paul is survived by his four children, Carol, David, Richard, and Thomas. He also had four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

There will be a small private ceremony at Willamette National Cemetery, where his remains will be placed in the same columbarium with his beloved wife. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.