Warren T. "Sonny" Payne

CONCORD - Warren T. "Sonny" Payne, 78, who had lived in Concord since 1938, died Thursday, Oct. 2, at Emerson Hospital in Concord. For 54 years, he was the husband of Sophie A. Minko Payne.

He was born in the Graniteville section of Westford in 1924. He graduated from Concord High School in 1942.

Mr. Payne served in the Navy during World War II as an aviation radioman.

For 35 years, he worked for General Electric in Westwood, retiring in 1983 as district service manager. He also served as an auxiliary special police officer in Concord.

He was active in raising funds to support handicapped children's charities.

Besides his wife, survivors include his children, William J. Payne and his wife, Debbie, of Wayland, Janet M. Payne DiFranco and her husband, Nick ("Buddy"), of Uxbridge, Daniel J. Payne and his wife, Jane, of Hudson, N.H., and John H. Payne and his wife, Cheryl, of Somerville, Ala.; his grandchildren, Ryan and Jennifer Payne of Wayland, Alex Payne of Hudson, N.H., and Erin and Ashleigh Payne of Somerville, Ala.; two sisters, Madeline Belmont of Maynard and Connie O'Neil of Concord; a brother, Chester Sadlow of Concord; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was also the father of the late W. Thomas Payne; and brother of the late John H. Payne.