"William Edward Payne, aged 49 years, for many years a waiter at the Ithaca Hotel, died this morning following an illness of complications. He is survived by two daughters--Naomi and Bernice Payne; one sister--Mrs. Elizabeth Patton of Ithaca; two brothers, Willard Payne and Benjamin Payne of Harper's Ferry, W. Va. Mr. Payne was known to a great man Ithaca's and Cornell students and alumni as 'Willis' Payne.
Prayer service will be held at 8:30 o'clock at the home and services will be held at 9 o'clock tonight at the Zion Church of which he was a member. The remains will tonight be taken to Harper's Ferry, W. Va., where the funeral will be held tomorrow."
Obituary for "William E. Payne," Ithaca Journal, April 30, 1917, 3 .