Creed Roy "Demp" Payne Jr., 94, of Delano, TN went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Starr Regional Medical Center in Etowah.

He was born in Alcoa, TN and lived in Polk County for almost 90 years. He was a faithful member of Wetmore Baptist Church. His childhood friend, Paul Guinn lead him to the lord when no one else could. He was the son of the late Creed Roy Payne Sr. and Eunice Viola Culpepper Payne.

Preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Louise Largent Payne; son, and daughter-in-law, Clifford Roy Payne and Martha Jane Bates Payne; sister, Joyce C. Payne; brothers, Paul L. "Mot" Payne and John D. "Wemp" Payne; niece, Judy Payne Derrick; and nephew, Gary Lillard.

He loved to go fishing with his grandson and granddaughter, making a garden and being a member of the Delano Lions Club for many years. He was known as "The Mayor of Delano" and the city hall was the Wetmore Service Station where locals gathered to talk about anything and anybodyno one was safe.

He was a veteran of World War II and was stationed in Lincoln, Nebraska, Netherland, East Indies, New Guinea and Luzon in the Philippines. He was a member of the 56th Fighter Control Squadron. He received the AP Theater Ribbon and two Bronze Service Stars, World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. He served his country from April 17, 1942 to November 30, 1945.

He was a hard worker, wonderful husband, father and papaw to Carolyn, Joshua and Sarah and a great-grandpa to Lukas and Corbin. His greatest joy was his grandchildren, great-grandsons, family and friends. He was a "True Blue Democrat" and an avid Alabama Football Fan. If you needed a helping hand or a tool to borrow, just ask Demp.

After returning from the war he returned to work at the Hosiery Mill in Delano as a machinist until it closed. Then he operated the Wetmore Service Station for several years before finally retiring.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Ricky Godfrey of Delano; Grandchildren, Carolyn Payne of Florida, Joshua and Jennifer Godfrey of Delano, Sarah and Jake Whatley of Englewood; great-grandsons, Lukas Godfrey and Corbin Whatley; 2 sisters, Ella Jane "Goobe" Rayburn of Etowah and Delores Ann "Toopsy" Lillard of Benton; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 3, 2014 in the South Chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with Rev. Edward Earl officiating. Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday prior to the service. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., and proceed to Green Hill Cemetery for the 11:00 a.m., committal service with Military Honors.

Joshua Godfrey, John Payne, Richard Payne, David Rayburn, Jesse Dalton, Pat Sneed, Largent Sneed and Jake Whatley will serve as pallbearers.