Paxson Lee Payne, 71, of Rixeyville, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center, Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Mr. Payne was born in 1949 in Loudoun County, Virginia, the son of the late Forrest Sr. and Lelia Mae Payne.  He was a graduate of Loudoun Valley High School, Class of 1968.  Paxson was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam War and attaining the rank of Sergeant in the 196^th Division of the Light Infantry Brigade.  While serving his country, Paxson was wounded three times and for his bravery won numerous medals including three Purple Hearts.  His most honored medal was the Combat Infantryman Badge.  Paxson was a life member of VVA Post #752, VFW Post #2524, and Purple Hearts Association.  He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles of Culpeper #4551.  He will be remembered for his generosity and incredible sense of humor as he was quite a “character”.

Paxson is survived by daughters, Karman Kenyon Alexander of Grants Pass, Oregon, Jennifer Shawn Phillips (Erica Jennejahn) of Rixeyville, Virginia, Jessica Dawn Payne of Winchester, Virginia, and Sandra Irene Victoria Cadd (Jesse) of Stephens City, Virginia; sons, Christopher Randolph Payne (Tina) and Nicholas Lee Payne, both of Winchester, Virginia; grandchildren, Michael Alexander of Tennessee, Victoria Alexander of Summerville, South Carolina, Wyatt Phillips and Parker Phillips, both of Rixeyville, Virginia, Korin Phillips of Short Pump, Virginia, An’aya Payne, Addison Flegal and Ava Payne, all of Winchester, Virginia, Dylan Cadd, Hanna Cadd, and Jordyn Cadd, all of Stephens City, Virginia, Lexxi Payne of Inwood, WV, Gage Payne of Inwood, West Virginia, Christopher Payne of Titusville, Florida, Ariel Payne of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Kelsey Payne of Culpeper, Virginia; great grandchildren, Blake Alexander of Tennessee and Alexis Wright of Summerville, South Carolina; sister, Susan Ann Baker (Harold) of Bluemont, Virginia; sister-in-law, Martha Payne of Winchester, Virginia; brothers, Robert E. “Bobby” Payne of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Forrest  Payne, Jr. (Patricia) of Tucson, Arizona, John Allen Payne (Carolyn) of Lovettsville, Virginia, and Jerry Donald Payne (Carolyn) of Inwood, West Virginia.

Along with his parents, Paxson is preceded in death by sisters-in-law, Lois M. Payne and Miriam Payne and brothers, Jack Howard Payne and William Herman “Billy” Payne.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and concerns, a private funeral service for close family will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Monday, February 8, 2021 at Omps Funeral Home, South Chapel, 1260 Front Royal Pike, Winchester, Virginia 22602 with Evangelist Josh Shifflett officiating.  Livestreaming of Paxson’s service will be available on the Omps Funeral Home website, www.ompsfuneralhome.com, under his obituary page.  Entombment with military honors will follow in Shenandoah Memorial Park, Winchester, VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Paxson’s memory to Martinsburg VA Medical Center, 510 Butler Avenue, Martinsburg, WV 25405 or Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS  66675-8517.