William Payne

William “Billy” Payne was born on January 30, 1941 in Kinston, North Carolina to the late Hilda Payne and Leemon Moore. He was an only child reared by his grandmother Lydie Payne in Kinston. He joined his mother in 1953 at age 12 in Albany, New York.

Billy was educated in the Albany School District. He attended Phillip Livingston Middle School through eighth grade. In 1957 at age 16, Billy was introduced to the world of boxing by his Principal Ben Becker and trained with Arnold Goodbee, Sr. He had a promising career becoming a professional boxer after graduating from Phillip Schuyler High School in 1959. He enrolled in the Albany Police Academy immediately after completing high school. He served on the Albany Police Force until 1971. Upon leaving the police force, he was employed with the Albany County District Attorney’s office as the first African American Chief Detective under District Attorney Arnold Proskin. Billy served from 1975 to 1988 in private industry as a private investigator. After leaving the private sector, in 1990 he went to work for the NYS Assembly as Deputy Sergeant at Arms, additionally, he served as Public Servant Commissioner for the Albany Housing Authority. In 2018 William “Billy”Payne retired from the NYS Assembly.

Billy is survived by his children, Dr. William Alexander Payne, of Peach tree city GA, Tjada Payne, of NJ, Uersula Payne, and Quinyon Payne of Albany NY. Sisters Deborah Moore, Sylvia Moore,and Francine Moore of NY NY. A host of grandchildren, Nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his brothers Jimmy Moore, and Robert Moore.
 

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