Wilhelminia J. "Billie" Payne
August 20, 1922 ~ July 2, 2016 (age 93) 93 Years OldShare using:
Wilhelminia J. "Billie" Payne, 93, of Pottsville, passed away Saturday at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Born in Pottsville, Aug. 20, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Jestyn G. and Margaret Oliver Bound.
Billie was a graduate of Pottsville High School, Class of 1940.
She was previously employed as the assistant to the Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard during WWII. She had also worked in the advertising department for Pomeroy's, as a bookkeeper for a local accountant, and at the Grace Shop until its closing. Billie was currently employed by Pottsville Housing Authority as deputy executive director.
She was a member of United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, where she had served as elder and trustee.
Billie was the longtime president of Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival. Her tireless dedication to the program impacted the lives of countless Schuylkill County women.
She was also involved in numerous organizations including American Way Fair and Relay for Life, where she acted as co-chairman. She served on the boards for PADCO, Salvation Army, Schuylkill Community Action, Majestic Theater and United Way, where she also served as campaign chair. Billie was also a member of Pilot Club, Kiwanis Club, Schuylkill Wellness and Gaudenzia. She was the recipient of the Athena Award, Orchid Award, Schuylkill Chamber Business Woman of the Year and the Schuylkill Chamber 2016 James M. Stine Lifetime of Service Award.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Raymond and Jane Losch.
Billie is survived by two sons, Jestyn G. Payne and his wife, Diane M., Wyomissing, and Leslie R. Payne and his wife, Jean, Pottsville; a daughter, Deirdre "Dee" Boris and her husband, John, Pottsville; six grandchildren, Jeffrey Payne and his fiance, Dr. Chloe Etzler, Jessica Erck and her husband, Steven, Matthew Payne, Joshua Payne, Amanda Boris and Kendra Boris; and nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at United Presbyterian Church. An additional viewing time will be held at 9 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. Interment will follow the service at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Billie's memory be made to Schuylkill United Way, 9 N. Centre St., Suite 301, Pottsville, PA 17901.
