June 11, 1936 — December 11, 2016
Dennis William Payne, 80, passed away Sunday, Dec. 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 Feb. 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 of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – 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 Council.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Sally; son, Curtis (Kim); daughters: Gail (Buck) Hurst and Janet Rogers; 11 grandsons; and now 17 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services
- Visitations will be held Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 5-7 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and Thursday, prior to services from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the LDS Stake Center.
- Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, at 11 a.m. in the Santa Clara LDS Stake Center, 1705 Desert Dawn Drive, Santa Clara, Utah.
- Interment will be in the Santa Clara City Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit our website www.metcalfmortuary.com.