Obituary of William F. Payton

William F. Payton, Jr. entered this life on October 10, 1953, the son of William F. Payton, and Barbara W. Payton, at Providence Hospital in Washington, DC.  He peacefully departed this life on August 2, 2023, at Virtua Hospital, in Willingboro, NJ.

Bill attended public schools in Willingboro, NJ and Philadelphia PA, including Overbrook High, in Philadelphia, PA, before graduating John F. Kennedy High in Willingboro, NJ in 1971.  Bill briefly attended Rutgers University in Camden, NJ.

On September 4, 1977 Bill was hired by the Willingboro Police Department and promoted to Sergeant in 1997.  During his career, he received numerous commendations.  He also was a D.A.R.E. instructor and was later named supervisor of the crime prevention unit.  He retired from the police department on September 4, 2002.  After retirement, he remained active in the Willingboro F.O.P. Lodge #38 as trustee and building manager.

Bill pursued a number of personally fulfilling interests, including photography, fishing, horticulture, listening to jazz, and collecting sports memorabilia. 

Bill leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Barbara of Willingboro NJ, his brother Stephen and sister-in-law Francine of Phoenixville, PA, his brother Frederick and sister-in-law Ramona of Martin Garcia, Dominican Republic and nieces and nephews Jacqueline, Francis, Gregory, Lisa, Teresa and Randy, and a host of adoring family and friends.

Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate Bill’s life at the F.O.P. Lodge #38 (4136 Route 130, Willingboro, NJ), on Thursday, August 10, 2023 anytime between 4PM and 7PM. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association in Bill’s name at www.heart.org/donate.