Willard Payne 1940-2026
Updated: 4 hours ago
Easthampton, MA — Known as Bud to his friends, Willard was a loving and giving man. He never wanted much more out of life than to see his friends and loved ones happy and thriving. He sacrificed much to ensure the people he loved had everything they needed whenever they needed it. When you needed someone to come in the middle of the night, he would get up and get to you if you broke down 3 hours away, he would be there in 2. He did not want people to wait either.
He had a passion for baking and through a few years of perseverance, managed to beat his rival at the Cummington Fair and take the blue ribbon with his outstanding cinnamon rolls.
Over the years he wore many hats, from pumping gas as a child, to his time in the Army where he developed a passion for photography while assigned to a psy-ops unit.
He would tell you it was boring but this was just a footnote in the story of an amazing man. He spent time working at Kollmorgen and most recently working for Mass Highway. He welded the bridges you pass over, he cleared the snow in the winter so people could get to where they had to be. He attended horrific car accidents and assisted where and when he could.
"I don't want a service. I want people to stay home and love their families. To cook a meal and appreciate each other." If you truly wish to honor him, please adopt a pet in need, donate to an animal shelter, be it some pet food, some money or your time.
He is survived by his son Andrew and by the countless friends and family members he made along the way. The world lost an angel.
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