Background
Payne, William Howard was born on October 8, 1909 in Norfork, Arkansas, United States. Son of William Joseph and Maude Isabel (Harris) Payne.
Payne, William Howard was born on October 8, 1909 in Norfork, Arkansas, United States. Son of William Joseph and Maude Isabel (Harris) Payne.
Student, George Washington University, 1937-1941; student, Georgetown University, 1937-1941; Juris Doctor, Southeastern U., 1941.
Newspaperman, El Reno (Oklahoma) Daily Tribune and El Reno American, 1929-1933;
chief staff commission on Indian affairs, United States House of Representatives, Washington, 1934-1941;
sole practice law, Washington, since 1942. Founder, Chairman, Board Of Directors Foundation for American Indian Tribal History, Washington, 1979. Claims attorney Cheyenne-Arapaho Indian Tribes of Oklahoma, 1948-1972, general counsel, 1948-1962.
Claims attorney Fort Peck Sioux Tribe of Montana, 1957-1982. General counsel Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakot, 1957-1972. Claims attorney Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, 1957-1982.
President League Young Democrats, Canadian County, Oklahoma, 1932-1933, floor leader Little Congress, Washington, 1934. Served as lieutenant United States Navy, 1944-1946. Clubs: National Lawyers, National Press.
Lodges: Masons (32d degree), Elks.
Married LoRena Elizabeth, November 9, 1934 (deceased June 1963). Children: William Haydon, Jo Anne Payne Brown.