William Joffre Payne Jr.

OF

WILLIAM JOFFRE PAYNE, JR.

(April 5, 1943 – December 20, 2018)

Sunday, December 30, 2018

VISITATION: 12:00 P.M. SERVICE 12:30 P.M.

OBITUARY

William Joffre Payne, Jr. was born on April 5, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois to the Union of William Joffre Sr. and Hortense Elizabeth Blaney Payne. On December 20, 2018, as rain fell gently on the street of Washington, DC, William, affectionately called “Joffre” by family and friends, departed this earth—trusting in the words of Hebrews 11:16 that there is “a “better country—a heavenly one, and that God “has prepared a city for him.”

Joffre grew up in Chicago, Illinois; attended Chicago Public Schools, and attended Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Illinois. During the early adult years of his life, Joffre travelled extensively-- following the crusades of various prominent ministers. In 1972, he met Delores Marcella Johnson and they were united in marriage in August of 1973. From the Union, they were blessed with six children, Samuel, Rachel, William, III, Amanda, Jennifer and Senator.

In 1976, Joffre moved his wife and two young children to Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and later found employment with the U.S. Postal Service.

Joffre gave his life to Christ at an early age. He was a man of great faith who loved reading and discussing the bible. He could always be found on any given day studying the scriptures; and, during the last hour of his life his final request was for a bible. During the reading of Psalms 139, the Hospital Chaplin misread a word in one of the verses, and he corrected her. That was just like him. He knew the bible through and through, and no one could ever get away with misquoting it in his presence.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Hortense; his brothers Aaron and Louis; and his sister Barbara Lea. He leaves to continue his story his sons, Samuel S.J, William J., III and Senator I.J. Payne; three loving and devoted daughters, Rachel Miller, Amanda Jones, and Jennifer Rodwell; two son-in-laws, Naim Jones and David Rodwell; 19 grandchildren; two devoted sisters who will forever cherish his memory-- Delphine Ruelle Lynch and Deborah Elizabeth Payne; one brother, Daniel T. Payne; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

“Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:16 (NIV)