William E. “Bill” Payette, age 94, of Marion, died peacefully Sunday evening, March 9, 2014, at the Kingston Residence following an extended illness.
On March 29, 1919, Bill was born in Detroit, MI, the oldest of eight children of the late Edgar and Edith (Whinnery) Payette.
He attended school in Ecorse and Detroit, MI, and attended college at Wayne State and Detroit Institute of Technology. He came to Marion with Tecumseh Corp. He then joined the newly formed Fulfillment Corp and retired after 34 years, the last 19 as Comptroller.
He married Mary M. Waddell on September 16, 1942. He was in the Army Air Force, and trained at Wright Patterson Field, Parks Air College and Sperry Rand Technical School. between 1943-1945, Bill served in Tunis, Tunisia, and later in Foggia, Italy and Casablanca working on four engine bombers. He is the only continuous Charter member of American Legion Post #584, serving many offices including Post Commander and County Commander. He also was a member of VFW Post 7201 and Voiture 40 and 8 serving several offices including Chef de Gare.
Bill started his community service as Cub Pack Master for 20 years at Pleasant High School and a Weblos Den Leader for 10 years. He then served the Pleasant School System first as the Chairman of the High School Building Levy (which passed) and served on the Pleasant School Board for 8 years. He also served on the Marion Goodwill Board, the Marion Health Board (2 years as President), the Marion County Historical Society, the Marion Cemetery Association Board, and the Waddell Foundation Board. He was a member of the Marion Noon Lions Club, including its President.
Bill was an active member of the Crosswood United Methodist Church, and served on many committees there.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mary Payette of Marion; two children: Sandy Payette, a teacher for 30 years in the Painesville, OH system and now a Methodist pastor in Belle Valley, OH; his son, Michael Payette, a retired Railroad attorney who lives in Chicago, IL; two sisters: Dorothy Moisan and Nora Noechel; a brother, Gerald (Lois) Payette; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great-great grand nieces and nephews.
Including his parents, Bill was preceded in death by two sisters: Ellen (Mike) Ayecilla and Joann (Charles) May; two brothers: Lyle (Sidney) Payette and Clair Payette; and two brothers-in-law: Phil Moisan and Dennis Noechel.
His family will greet friends from 5 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at the Crosswood United Methodist Church, 1551 Richland Rd., Marion, OH 43302. Services honoring his life will also be held there on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Joe Ziraldo officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council will follow in Marion Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Crosswood United Methodist Church (address above).
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to have been chosen to serve Bill’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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