WILLIAM PAYNE

November 7, 1924 - February 9, 2015 NICHOLS HILLS William Carlos Payne, 90, died peacefully on February 9, 2015, in Oklahoma City, OK. Bill had an undeniable presence - a big man with a quick mind and delightful wit who loved a good laugh - southern charm wrapped around a warm smile, blonde hair and blue eyes. He was tough but fair, a man with very strong opinions - you always knew where you stood with W.C. He was a true and loyal friend to many and a deep and compassionate man to those close to him. He was born in 1924 at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, GA, graduated from Druid Hills High School, completed a year of post-graduate study on an athletic scholarship at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN, attended the Georgia Institute of Technology where, after serving in the Pacific Theater with the United States Navy, he graduated in 1947 with a degree in aeronautical engineering, and then went on to earn an MBA in 1949 from the Harvard Business School. After graduating from Harvard, Bill went to work for the Wheland Foundry Company of Chattanooga, TN and moved to Corpus Christi, TX as an oil field equipment salesman. He soon met Erle P. Halliburton and traveled to Duncan, OK to work for the Halliburton family. In 1951, Bill co-founded Halliburton and Payne ("HAP") Drilling Company; which ultimately became Oklahoma City based Payne Exploration. He loved being an `oilman' - climbing on a drilling rig, reading maps and drilling logs, and striking deals were in his blood - he continued to go to the office well into his 90th year. He traveled extensively across 6 continents and to the North Pole, enjoyed fishing and bird hunting around the world, had a handful of favorite lunch spots where he knew all the employees by name, appreciated a glass of scotch (or two), could frequently be found on Sundays in the back row of church and on all other days watching Fox News in his library chair. His mother and father, Carlos and Gordon Payne; a brother, Gordon Payne; and his first wife, Laura Payne, predecease him. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Joan Nichols Payne; his daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and Rick Young; his son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Wendy Payne; his granddaughter and grandson, Katie and Whit Payne; his brother-in-law, Mike Nichols; his step-children, Wiley and Deanna, Greg, Ben and Terry Richardson and Shawn Poole; and their children Julia, Nicholas, Kate, Alex, Charlie, Henry, Andrew, Hayden and Luca; his nephew, Clarke and Rosemary Howard; and their children Cameron, Christian, Catherine and Rebecca. On Thursday, February 12th, there will be a private graveside service followed at 1:30pm by a public memorial service at the United Methodist Church of Nichols Hills. Any gifts may be directed to his favorite charities: SpecialCare, 12201 N. Western Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73114 or The Music Department at the United Methodist Church of Nichols Hills, 1212 Bedford Drive, Nichols Hills, OK 73116.