Young County, Texas - Obituaries - Watson Payne Roye

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Graham Leader - Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Watson Payne Roye, 72 years old, beloved husband, father, grandfather and
great-grandfather, passed away on June 4, 2005, at Baylor Medical
Center-Waxahachie surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Beth Rosser Roye of Waxahachie;
daughters, Melinda Beth Miller of Waxahachie and Mary Tresa Long of Rowlett;
sons, Dr. Watson Payne Roye Jr. of Waxahachie, Rosser Earl Roye of Graham and
Dr. Robert Price Roye of Waxahachie; 26 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Payne was born on June 29, 1932, in Bunger to Walter Price Roye and Bertha
Watson Roye. Payne graduated from Graham High School as valedictorian in 1949.
He entered the University of Texas at Austin and received his bachelor’s of art
degree in government and his doctor of laws from the University of Texas Law
School in 1958. After opening his law practice in Graham, he also began a varied
life on many facets.

He was a successful criminal defense attorney, president of the Graham Jaycees
and president of the Young County Bar Association. Payne was also a Little
League coach, a Sunday school teacher, independent oilman and real estate
developer. He built the “Tonkawa Downs” racetrack. He was also a thoroughbred
horse owner and trainer who raced and won all over the country. He was a league
owner and franchiser of the AFA professional football league. He produced cable
TV shows called the “Equine Hour” and “Hoof Beats.” He published a horseman’s
magazine, Hoof Prints. Payne also was a mentor and sponsor of many young men
from three generations. Many will remember him as generous, cheerful,
high-energy, hardworking, contagiously optimistic, kind and compassionate to
strangers and friends alike. He considered his greatest accomplishment in life
to have been rearing a large, successful family that has remained close to each
other. Each of his children continues his legacy of helping others.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June
9, at Park Meadows Baptist Church, 3350 Highway 77 North, in Waxahachie.