John W. Payne, 54, a lifelong resident of Georgetown, passed away Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford with his family by his side.  He was born June 11, 1965, in Milford, son of  William "Bill" and Patricia (Holson) Payne.

John graduated from Sussex Central High School in 1983 and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Delaware in 1988. He pursued a career in corrections and retired as a captain from Sussex Correctional Institution in 2017 after 28 dedicated years.  Along with being a loving son, brother and uncle, John was a loyal University of Delaware and Baltimore Ravens fan. He collected firearms and spent many of his days at the JD Firearms range. He also enjoyed Halloween, and always dressed up to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters.  He was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

John was preceded in death by his father, William "Bill" Payne. He is survived by his mother, Patricia (Holson) Payne;  his sister, Venetia (Payne) Donaway; and his niece, Dara Donaway.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, 307 N Bedford St., Georgetown, where friends may call beginning at 1 p.m.  Interment will follow the services at Union Cemetery, Adams and Race streets, Georgetown.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in John's memory to: Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.  

Please visit John's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.