Raymond “Ray” K. Payne was born in San Antonio, Texas in July 1959. 

He was one of five kids to Lee and Margaret Payne of Castle Hills, Texas. He went to school at Churchill High School and loved the woodworking classes. He loved them so much that he helped his dad on rental properties and that’s when the love of his craft began. 

He loved working with his hands creating and building all kinds of things. He later began working construction and having his own crew. Raymond worked and built apartments, houses and office buildings in Austin, Texas where he won the National Nail Driving Contest! After being in Austin for a while he ventured out to Bethlehem, PA in the late 80’s. This is where he met the love of his life Dee. They got married and enjoyed 20 years together. During that time, he earned the reputation which would later become his slogan – “One call, I do it all, Call Ray he will save the day!” He has built/framed several homes, decks, offices and painted just about anything you can think of…Raymond had the knowledge, skill and craft to fix anything. He loved riding his Harley, hard rock music, fishing and having a good time. Raymond loved to BBQ! He could grill like nobody’s business! Raymond loved his family and would try to come to Texas as often as he could to go fish and hang out at the coast. Ray loved the salt air and waves crashing the shore. He was the type of person that would help anyone and encourage them to be better. Raymond was kind, loving, smart, funny, and above all a great brother. 

He battled Liver Cancer until the Lord called him home on October 23, 2026. 

Raymond is welcomed in Heaven by his dad, mom, brother and wife to celebrate their eternal reunion. He is survived by his three sisters, two brother in laws and nephew in Texas. Raymond touched so many lives and helped so many people with his joyful personality and his love for his craft. Always a framer at heart! Raymond will greatly be missed and the hole we have in our hearts will forever be broken until the time we have our reunion with him in Heaven.