Changes

Sheriff Payne died at his home in Natchitoches of cardiovascular disease and the lingering effects of [[influenza]] contracted five months earlier. On his death, ''The Natchitoches Times'' wrote: "He was recognized as an officer fearless and efficient, who knew not the meaning of defeat. ... The entire state has cause to feel that it has suffered tremendous loss. ... "Law-enforcement authorities of Louisiana are mourning the death of one of their outstanding members. ... His efforts meant much to the welfare of the people. His repeated re-election testified to the esteem in which he was held by his constituents. He was constantly striving to protect property and lives of the citizens from the lawless element and was always vigorous in his efforts to bring criminals to justice ..."<ref name=payne>''The Natchitoches Times,'' Week of February 13, 1933.</ref>

Sheriff Payne died at his home in Natchitoches of cardiovascular disease and the lingering effects of [[influenza]] contracted five months earlier. On his death, ''The Natchitoches Times'' wrote: "He was recognized as an officer fearless and efficient, who knew not the meaning of defeat. ... The entire state has cause to feel that it has suffered tremendous loss. ... "Law-enforcement authorities of Louisiana are mourning the death of one of their outstanding members. ... His efforts meant much to the welfare of the people. His repeated re-election testified to the esteem in which he was held by his constituents. He was constantly striving to protect property and lives of the citizens from the lawless element and was always vigorous in his efforts to bring criminals to justice ..."<ref name=payne>''The Natchitoches Times,'' Week of February 13, 1933.</ref>

In addition to his children and third wife, Ola, Payne was survived by a half-sister, Emily Payne Watson, daughter of William Payne's first marriage to the former Theresa Long, and three sisters, all from Natchitoches: Mrs. Elisa P. Williams, Mrs. W. C. Jones, and Alicia Evelena Payne Cunningham (1874-1961), the wife of Charles Milton Cunningham (1877-1936), the publisher of ''The Natchitoches Times'' and from 1915 to 1922 a state senator. After her husband's death, Evelena or "Miss Lena,"as she became known, continued to publish the newspaper. Sheriff Payne also had a brother, Edward O. Payne of Natchitoches.<ref name=payne/>​

In addition to his children and third wife, Ola, Payne was survived by a half-sister, Emily Payne Watson, daughter of William Payne's first marriage to the former Theresa Long, and three sisters, all from Natchitoches: Mrs. Elisa P. Williams, Mrs. W. C. Jones, and Alicia Evelena Payne Cunningham (1874-1961), the wife of [[Charles Milton Cunningham]], the publisher of ''The Natchitoches Times'' and from 1915 to 1922 a state senator. After her husband's death, Evelena or "Miss Lena,"as she became known, continued to publish the newspaper. Sheriff Payne also had a brother, Edward O. Payne of Natchitoches.<ref name=payne/>​

Payne is interred at the historic American Cemetery in Natchitoches.<ref name=payne/> He was succeeded as sheriff by his son, William Michael "Bill" Payne.<ref>"Sheriff [[Wyatt Luther Nugent]], Deputy Delmer Lee Brunson Are Slain," ''The Winnfield (Louisiana) News-American,'' April 24, 1936.</ref>

Payne is interred at the historic American Cemetery in Natchitoches.<ref name=payne/> He was succeeded as sheriff by his son, William Michael "Bill" Payne.<ref>"Sheriff [[Wyatt Luther Nugent]], Deputy Delmer Lee Brunson Are Slain," ''The Winnfield (Louisiana) News-American,'' April 24, 1936.</ref>