Clifford Billy Payne, 89, of Alexander, passed away Monday, January 2, 2023. He was a native of Madison County having lived for the past several years in Buncombe County. Billy was the son of the late Clifford and Gertruda Wells Payne. He is also preceded in death by his son-in-law, Doug Fortune; three sisters and three brothers. Billy was a member of Old Bull Creek Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Bula Edwards Payne; daughters, Teressa Roberson (Richard) and Deena Fortune; son, Donald Payne (Tanya); grandchildren, Jason Payne, Shawn and Christopher Roberson and Matthew Payne; 8 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; special sister-in-law, Eula Cordell; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2pm Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service. Rev. Kenneth Pack, Rev. Anthony Fox and Brother Joel Fox will officiate. Burial will follow in the Old Bull Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with Brother Eddie Fox conducting the committal service. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, Jason and Matthew Payne, Shawn and Christopher Roberson, and great grandsons, Bryce Payne, and Blake and Joseph Roberson. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Billy loved hunting, mowing, and gardening and was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great-great grandfather.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org