Helen Webb Payne

Helen Webb Payne, 89, was born May 19, 1923, in Walla Walla to Paul Webb Sr. and Minta Pettyjohn Webb. She graduated from Walla Walla High School and attended Whitman College for two years. Helen was a 3rd generation Walla Walla wheat farmer.

Helen married Bill Payne June 15, 1986, in Medina, Wash.; he was also a wheat farmer. She loved people and approached life with a spirit full of celebration of social events of all kinds. She was very generous, never met a stranger, and was extremely knowledgeable about antique furniture. Her family and friends meant everything to her. Helen was a member of PEO Chapter, Walla Walla Country Club, Elks Club of Walla Walla, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and Valley Grove Bridettes.

Survived by her husband, Bill Payne of Waitsburg; daughter, Mary (Arvid Knee) Martin of Seattle; son, Rich Morse (Corky) of Kirkland; two granddaughters, Sharon Martin of Walla Walla and Amy Martin of Cherry Hills, Colo.; two grandsons, Bart Morse of Pasadena, Calif and Chris Morse of Bellevue, Wash.; three great-grandchildren, Finnegan J. Martin of Walla Walla, Everly Morse and Sienna Morse of Pasadena, Calif. and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Philadelphia; her parents; brother, Paul Webb Jr.; sisters, Ruth Cleveland and Mary McGough; 1st husband, Harry B. Morse.

The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2012, at St Paul’s Episcopal Church with Father Ernie Campbell officiating. There will be a reception to follow the memorial service at the Walla Walla Country Club. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, PEO Chapter or Charity of Choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.