Billy Payne

Billy Payne, 85, of Murfreesboro, TN formerly of Dothan, WV passed away on Monday, March 16, 2009 at the Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro, TN. Born April 29, 1923 at Dothan, WV he was the son of the late Charles Rankin and Della Beatrice Toney Payne. He was a graduate of Oak Hill High School and a retired coal miner having worked for Riverton Coal Company. Mr. Payne was a member of the Dothan Community Church. He was a World War II US Army veteran serving in several major conflicts including D-Day at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France and the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and the European African Middle East Service medal with six bronze stars. His wife of 60 years, Ruby Mae Smith Payne and a sister, Betty Jane Payne O'Dell preceded him in death. He is survived and will be sadly missed by his daughter, Billie Jo Josovitz of Murfreesboro; brothers, Jake Payne and Woody Payne both of Dothan; his only granddaughter, Sarah Carin Josovitz of Murfreesboro and many nieces and nephews. Services will be on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill with Pastor Lum Toney officiating. Entombment will be at High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Oak Hill with graveside rites by VFW Post #3110 of Oak Hill. Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the Linebaugh Public Library at www.linebaugh.org or the Dothan Community Church, c/o Betty Peters, 4345 Okey L. Patteson Road, Scarbro, WV 25917. Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, WV