Sergeant Floyd Dean Payne

Sergeant Floyd Dean Payne, age 66, US Army, Soldier for life. Floyd got his angel wings on June 16, 2021. He was born on Dec. 30,1954 in Bartlesville, Okla., to Joshway and Frances (Beam) Payne.

As a youth and young adult he spent his time as a rodeo performer. Floyd was a Valliant class of 1973 graduate. He attended Eastern Oklahoma State College. He met his wife, Sharon Fennell in 1973 on the dance floor and they were married shortly after. They grew up dancing together around the world for 48 years. They will be waltzing across Heaven together soon. He then joined the military in 1974. He was awarded the Vietnam, Dessert Storm and Dessert Shield ribbons. He received many awards, metals, ribbons and stars. He was an expert sharpshooter. Floyd retired out of the military in 1993.

Floyd enjoyed his retirement by going hunting and camping. He really loved his cabin in the mountains. He and Sharon volunteered with CASA and foster parenting. They both were youth leaders for the Church. He loved taking the children to KBA every year. Floyd never met a child he didn’t love, this is why so many called him Papa. He taught archery in the schools. He was a hunter safety education instructor.

Floyd was welcomed in Heaven by his parents, Joshway and Frances Payne; sister, Sharon Hunter; brother, Lloyd (Butchie) Payne; in-laws and a great-grandson.

Floyd leaves to celebrate his life here on Earth: Wife, Sharon J. (Fennell) Payne; his two children: Son, Michael Fuller of Rufe, Okla., and daughter, DaRhon Payne of Rufe; brothers: Boyd Payne and Doyle Payne both of Valliant, Okla.; sister, Carolyn Townsend of Millerton, Okla.; a brother-in-law; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandkids and three great-great-grandkids, along with many nieces and nephews.

Services are under the direction of Miller & Miller Funeral Home.