William H. Payant

Born in Wausaukee, Wis., in 1924, Bill was raised in Iron Mountain/Kingsford. After graduating from Kingsford High School in 1942, Bill attended St. Norbert College on a football scholarship. After his freshman year, he joined the Army’s 10th Mountain Division (ski troops) and trained at Camp Hale, Colo.

Before deployment, Bill was commissioned as second lieutenant and eventually served in the Philippines for two years at the end of World War II. After discharge, Bill completed his degree at St. Norbert in DePere, Wis., where he met and married Sharon Jacobson in 1949. They moved to Ann Arbor where he completed his MBA at the University of Michigan. Recalled by the Army in 1951, Bill served in a combat role in Korea. 

Joining Citizens Securities Company in Green Bay, Wis., as a stockbroker in 1952, Bill spent the rest of his career as a partner as he and Sharon raised their family there. Shortly after retiring to Sun City West, Sharon passed away.

In 1992, Bill married Elizabeth “Liz” Lee, a former classmate from Kingsford High School.

Bill loved adventures: teaching his five children to ski; rafting the Snake River; RV trips to Mexico City, Nova Scotia, Alaska; an African safari; a 36-day drive through Ireland and an Antarctic cruise.

In later years, his zest for travel continued with a train journey through Australia’s outback; family sailing trips to Tahiti, the Greek Isles, and the Caribbean; and three river cruises through Europe, Russia and up the Mississippi during his nineties. Bill just celebrated his 95th birthday on June 1 on a cruise in Puget Sound.

Bill is survived by five children: Nancy (Michael) Middlemas of Buckeye, Ariz., Randall Payant of Scottsdale, Ariz., Pamela (Bruce) VanOss of Brussels, Wis., Cynthia (Robert) Entringer of Austin, Texas, Scott (Lauren) Payant of Denver; nine grandchildren; and nine-great-grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Vital and Anna Payant; his wives, Sharon and Liz; and both brothers, Robert (Bob) and John (Jack) Payant.

Education was a high value in the Payant household — college for all five of Bill’s children and advanced degrees for most. In recent years Bill was instrumental in establishing the Payant Family Foundation to benefit International Baccalaureate students at Notre Dame du Baie Academy. All of Bill’s children graduated from Notre Dame High School, and they carry on the work of the foundation.

Interment will be private at the Allouez Cemetery and Mausoleum in Green Bay.

In lieu of flowers, consider donations to the Payant Family Foundation c/o Randy Payant, 7318 E. Palo Verde Drive, Unit 7, Scottsdale, AZ 85250.

Please join William’s family in sharing memories, pictures or videos on his tribute wall at www.caminodelsol.com.