John Willis Payton

John Payton passed away in Milwaukee on October 28, 2025, after many visits from dear friends and his husband, Roger. He was born on January 15, 1943, in Kansas City, Mo. to Willis Payton and Helen Jackson Payton.

He lived in Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Idaho, and Washington State as he was growing up. He attended the University of Washington, majoring in history, graduating in 1965. Subsequently, he moved to Chicago, where he received a Master of Divinity degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School.

He stayed in Chicago for over 30 years, except for two years in Urbana, Ill. Later, he received a doctorate in public health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. John worked in public health in a variety of organizations, ranging from the Red Cross, the American Hospital Association, the Chicago Public Schools, and finally with a collaborative to promote children’s social and emotional learning.

In 1998, he met Roger Hansen, the love of his life, and they quickly moved into a committed relationship, and moved together to Evanston, Ill. in 1999. They were married in the Quaker Meeting in Evanston in 2002 and legally married in Wisconsin in 2016.

In 2005, they moved to Milwaukee, first in Wauwatosa and then to the east side of Milwaukee. In 2023, he and Roger moved to Eastcastle Place retirement community.

John was raised mostly as a Presbyterian but became an Episcopalian as an adult. Later, he was on a continued search for a spiritual home and became a Quaker after meeting Roger, who had been a Quaker.

He became involved in the life and committee work of Milwaukee Friends (Quaker) Meeting. He also participated in several nationwide Quaker groups, including Quaker Earthcare Witness and the Friends Committee on National Legislation. In recent years, he also began attending Episcopal services again. He had a practice of Centering Prayer

John was a lifelong spiritual seeker and finder and an advocate for peace and justice. He was also a continuous learner, attending classes at the Osher Institute and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

He was a devoted friend to many and offered generous hospitality. He had a way of endearing himself to others. He enjoyed theatre, music, especially classical, travel, especially on trains, long walks, running, including a marathon.

John was predeceased by his parents and his brother Steve Payton. He is survived by his husband, Roger Hansen, cats Winston and Emma, brother Marc (Darla) Payton, sisters-in-law Ellen Benes and Mary Ann Mathieu, and cousin Jane Jackson. We are grateful to Eastcastle Place and Horizon Hospice for their care.

Donations may be made to the Wisconsin Humane Society or to Oxfam.