Maurice M. Payne Sr (age 86) of Yuma, AZ was born August 7, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York to his loving parents Henry Cornelius and Ethel Thelma (nee Johnson) Payne.

The family moved to Richmond, VA shortly after his birth. He graduated in 1950 from Armstrong High School. After graduating high school he then joined the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War in the 98 Bomb Wing as a radio mechanic.

In 1953, he was discharged from the Air Force and moved to Los Angeles, CA.

He met the love of his life Constance Marie Cooper whom he married in 1954 sharing 49 years of marriage before her passing away in 2003. In 1955, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Airforce for another 17 years.

He served in the Viet Nam war and attained the rank of Master Sergeant. He served in many stateside bases and retired with 20 years of service in 1972 with an honorable discharge.

His hobbies included genealogy and working on computers. He was a member of the St. John Neumann and the VFW Post 19 and American Legion.

He is survived by his sons Maurice Jr, (Linda (deceased) of Goldsboro N.C, Larry Payne of Oroville, CA, and daughters Belvia M. Young of Yuma, AZ, Phyllis Y Geagan (Jeffery) of Dhahran Saudi Arabia, and sister Yvonne Rogers (Horace) of Bloomfield Hills, MI., 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife Constance M. (Cooper) in 2003 and his dear parents Henry C. and Ethel T (nee Johnson) Payne and his four brothers, Henry Jr., Horace, Curtis and Donald

Viewing to be held on 8 November 2017 between 3-5 PM at Sunset Vista funeral home in Yuma.
Burial to be held at Riverside Memorial Cemetery on 9 November 2017.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association .
Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun