Arthur Payne Whiteway Sr.

Our beloved father, Arthur Payne Whiteway, died in Deland, Florida, on Monday, March 3, 2014, at age 92. Born in Camden, New Jersey, on April 16, 1921, "Payne", as he was known by family and friends, grew up in Haddonfield, New Jersey, where he graduated from Haddon High and met his future wife, Joyce Walker, who preceded him to glory on May 11, 2013. Attending the Franklin and Marshall College business school in Lancaster, PA, his studies were cut short by World War 2. Payne's love of flying and desire to serve his country led him to become a Naval Aviator in 1942. He served with VF-16 aboard the aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-16) from 1943 until the end of the war, participating in every major naval action in the Pacific including the great Marianas Turkey Shoot where he scored a victory over a Japanese Zero fighter. His love for, and stories about, the Grumman Hellcat he flew (number 13) became family lore. Payne married our mother, Joyce Walker, in 1944 during a home leave. After the war, they remained in Haddonfield where he taught flying and was hired by William Piper to demonstrate and sell the many new post-war Piper aircraft. In 1956, Payne moved the family, by then including 4 children, to Boulder, Colorado, where he opened one of the first dealerships for Piper Aircraft west of the Mississippi River. Their fifth child was born in Boulder, and two years later Payne accepted a position with a Cessna Aircraft dealership in Bethany, Oklahoma, moving the family there in 1960. After the civil aircraft market declined during the 1960's, Payne decided it was time to stay on the ground and, in 1970, he moved the family to Winter Park, Florida, where he operated several Texaco service stations until his retirement. A soft spoken gentleman who loved sitting by the water with Joyce watching birds, Payne was happiest when serving cocktails and snacks to friends and family, and sneaking treats to his dachshund, Heidi. Payne is survived by his sisters Jill Danenhower and Alice Brick; his five children, Lyn Cooper (Hugh), Norman, OK; Arthur Whiteway, Jr., DeBary, Florida; Tom Whiteway (Chris), Chambersburg, PA; Steve Whiteway (Debbie), Hallieford, VA; Scott Whiteway (Karen), Altamonte Springs, FL; tenGrandchildren and one Great Granddaughter. There can be little doubt that God has a grass airstrip and special Piper Cub waiting for Payne as he folds his wings on Earth. So, Happy Landings Dad, and give our love to Mom. In lieu of flowers the family would like any donations to go to the West Volusia Hospice Care Center. 1625 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Orange City, Florida 32763.