William F Payne

1930 - 2017

1930 - 2017
William F. Payne, a prominent figure in the resurrection of New York University from near bankruptcy to global prominence, passed peacefully on Saturday May 13, 2017. At his bedside were his sons Todd, of Chester Springs, PA, and Mark, of Woodstock, NY. 
 
Born and raised in Worcester, MA, by parents Ray and Anne, Bill went on to study engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a choice that would profoundly influence his life. Two of Bill's RPI fraternity brothers –Roger Galliher and David Krashes – would marry Bill's wonderful sisters, Joan and Barbara. A third, Pete Easterling, would introduce Bill to his sister, Nancy. Nancy and Bill married and spent twenty-eight wonderful years together, living in Europe and upstate New York, raising their sons, Todd and Mark, in Summit, NJ, and spending memorable summers at Bill's favorite place on earth, Forest Lake Park in Grafton, NY.
 
Graduating from RPI in 1952, Bill served his country as First Officer on a Navy minesweeper, and as an admiral's attaché in Heidelberg, Germany, which allowed Bill and Nancy to tour Europe, shaping indelible memories.

Returning from the service in 1958, he joined RPI's Development Office, beginning an accomplished career in academia that would span four decades.

In 1968, Bill was brought to NYU by its President, James Hester, to help navigate a time of severe financial crisis, declining enrollment, campus unrest, and fractured relations with the surrounding community.

Over the next ten years, as Executive Vice President of Development and External Affairs, he helped chart the university's path to stability, laying groundwork for its eventual assent to global prominence.

By the time of his departure in 1978, the university had pulled off what NYU historian Thomas J. Frusciano described as 'The Miracle on Washington Square', with rising enrollment, financial stability, growing national prestige, and a more selective student body. Milestones in his tenure included completion of the iconic Bobst Library on Washington Square, which became his office for many years.

He left NYU to found a consulting firm, Payne, Wester, Forrester & Olsen, lending his experience to many prominent educational institutions, non-profits, and foundations in New York and around the country.
 
Bill married Betty Savage in 1986, retired to Vero Beach, FL, and enjoyed great times with Betty's family: her loving children Cilla, Joy, Cinda, and Ross, granddaughter Schuyler, son-in-law Teddy, and dear friend Ben Knisely. 
 
Bill is survived by Nancy Payne of New Paltz, NY, Betty Payne of Bradenton, FL, Joan Galliher of Chester, CT, Barbara Krashes of Princeton, MA, sons Todd and Mark, daughters-in-law Phyllis Payne and Elizabeth Rosen, and grandson Jake Payne.
 
Bill's optimism, perpetual good cheer, and handsome smile will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him.

For memorial details, please email at billpaynememorial@gmail.com.