Age 65, passed away at home on Saturday, September 16, 2017. Sam was born in Clare County on July 29, 1952. At age five he became a member of the Payne family and was preceded in death by his adopted parents, Robert J. and Ruth B. (Podbilski) Payne. He was also preceded in death by his mother in-law, Nettie Walker; sister in-law, Edith Blaksley and his grandpa and grandma Thompson. Sam attended public schools in Marion, Michigan where he was active in baseball, football, track and band. He worked with his father as a young man, who owned and operated Marion Dairy. Sam started delivering milk at the age of 13 with a special issued driver’s license. On December 26, 1980, he was united in marriage to the former Joyce E. Walker who survives. Sam is also survived by his children, Amy, Lisa, Robert A. and Thomas A. Payne; nephew, Ian Downs, with whom he shared a special bond; granddaughters, Brittany, Jessica, Hailey and Emma and four great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include his sisters, Marla (Dean) Namboothiri and Sandy K. Payne; sister in-law, Nancy (Dave) Cretsinger; brother in-law, Harry Blaksley; former wife and mother of his daughters, Kathy (Dusa) Smith and many nieces, nephews and extended family. In Sam’s later years, he enjoyed a good cup of coffee and a game of Dominos with friends; a smooth cherry cigar and a motorcycle ride on warm days. Although he was a bit of a rebel, Sam loved his country and appreciated traditional values. He also had a great love for history, woodworking and spending time with his family.