William L. Payne
Master Sergeant, United States Army
September 20, 1956 – May 16, 2003
Age – 46
Otsego, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, Fort Riley, KS
Killed in an accidental ordnance explosion in Haswah, Iraq
When a war in Iraq became likely, Master Sgt. William L. Payne put off his retirement because of a sense of duty to the men who served under him. Payne, who first joined the Army shortly after graduating from Otsego (Mich.) High School in 1975, was killed May 16 when ordnance exploded as he examined it. While in high school in Otsego, about 14 miles north of Kalamazoo, Payne wrestled and played football all four years, his stepmother said. After serving an initial hitch, he left the Army and returned to the Kalamazoo area for two years before re-enlisting and becoming a career soldier.
Payne would have had 25 years of military service in September. He was preparing to retire, but decided to wait. He felt that he should go over there with his men that he worked with so long.
Payne had been stationed at Fort Riley, Kan., since 2001. He was also assigned there from 1995-98. Most recently, he was the intelligence noncommissioned officer in charge for the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment of the 3rd Brigade, 1Lt Armored Division. He previously served as the first sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division.
He was remembered by his battle buddies with the following words.
Sgt. Alton Miller wrote “The Man That Made the Medal” to honor his buddy at the northeast Kansas Army post. Master Sgt. William Lee Payne, 46, of Michigan, was killed in the ground war last year. Miller, 35, says Payne was like a father to him. “He helped me out through some pretty rough times,” said Miller, who is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment of the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Miller was preparing to ship out to Iraq when he received word that Payne was dead. He quickly wrote the song, which he sang at Payne’s funeral. “Ever since then I’ve sang it at memorials, when we were over in Iraq, for the fallen soldiers over there,” he said. “It’s taken off and it’s touched a lot of people’s lives. There’s no song out there right now that actually tells you the loss and the story behind that.”
Major (then 1LT) Jon-Paul Leos of San Antonio, TX
“During the invasion north, he was the TC for our tracked vehicle designated Mixed Nuts as he was responsible for three LTs (MI, CHEM, and EN). We went to war with him but he was always there for everyone.”
Sgt. Chris Bubny of Orlando, FL
“I remember being a lost Private, nominated for solider of the quarter and Top Payne was on my board. I didn’t win and walking back to Cobra Company 2/70AR, with my head down, feeling like a failure….Top Payne, said, “Private Bubny, get the bleep over here!” He then proceeded to remind me of the few bonehead wrong answers I gave but in typical Top Payne fashion, told me that some day I was going to make one hell of an NCO. A year and a half later, I got my stripes and those words never left the back of mind….Thanks Top…I’ll never forget the man you were. Hard, fair, motivating and one of best NCO’s I ever met!”
“Samuel Minton, SFC (Retired) of El Paso, Texas
First Sergeant Payne “TOP” was an outstanding soldier, man, and friend. I served as his training NCO for a year at Fort Riley. I had the extreme privilege of serving him daily. I learned how to be an NCO under his reign and took those lessons with me throughout my 21 year career in the Army. I am deeply saddened by his loss and please accept my sincere condolences.”