Santa Clara, Utah
– Dennis William Payne, 80, passed away Sunday, December 11, 2016. He was born June 11, 1936 in Santa Monica, California to Harold and Ellen Larene Berrett Payne. He was the youngest of two brothers, Dale and Glenn, and a sister, Marilyn, all now deceased. Dennis was a determined spirit for he overcame several health challenges during his life and he was always so grateful for those doctors and nurses that helped him survive.
Dennis attended Hamilton High School where he met his bride to be, Sally Stubbs. He taught her the Gospel and baptized her. After a two year Army service in Korea, he married Sally on February 15, 1957 in the Los Angeles LDS Temple. They both graduated from college and made a move to Anaheim, California. He taught Early Morning Seminary and drove the freeway from Anaheim to Hollywood every day to his employment as Production Coordinator for Jack Douglas Productions, doing travel adventure shows.
He was a great teacher of the Gospel, and he loved teaching Early Morning Seminary. He decided that the Hollywood social life didn't support the church principles he was teaching so he accepted a full time position teaching Seminary in Panguitch, Utah. A whole new chapter of life had opened up for his family. He loved the students, he was five minutes from home and he now had time to enjoy his family.
He has enjoyed many leadership callings in the church – Counselor in the Bishopric in Anaheim, Bishop in Panguitch, Executive Secretary both ward and stake in Santa Clara, 1st Counselor in newly formed St. George Utah West Stake, and Patriarch in Santa Clara Heights Stake. He loved the four years he served on the Santa Clara City Counsel.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Sally; son, Curtis (Kim); daughters: Gail (Buck) Hurst and Janet Rogers; eleven grandsons; and now seventeen great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Santa Clara LDS Stake Center, 1705 Desert Dawn Drive, Santa Clara, Utah. Visitations will be held Wednesday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and Thursday, prior to services, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Stake Center. Interment will be in the Santa Clara City Cemetery.
