William Payne (July 31, 1725 – July 12, 1782) was a Virginia gentleman, vestryman, justice, and Fairfax County sheriff in the late colonial period. He was a supporter of the American Independence movement and a member of the Fairfax County Committee for Safety. In 1755, he had a physical altercation with George Washington over an election issue for the Virginia House of Burgesses which almost resulted in a duel. The two became friends serving together in a number of roles later in life. His eldest son was a pallbearer at Washington’s funeral. Personal life William Payne was born July 31, 1725, in Westmoreland Country, Virginia, the second son of William Payne (1692–1776) and Alicia (Jones) Payne (Died October 31, 1760). He was married to Susannah Clarke (1721–1771) on February 3, 1748, in a ceremony officiated by the Reverend Charles Green, First Rector of Pohick Church, Truro Parish. It was a second marriage for Susannah (also known as Susan) Clarke, who was the widow of Nathaniel Brown. The couple had seven children: Alicia Payne (1749–1837) William Payne (Colonel) (1751–1813) Mary Payne (1753–1860) Benjamin Clark Payne (1755–1789) Penelope Payne (1757–1785) Anne Payne (1757–1788) Devaul (variously spelled Devall and Duval) Payne (1764– ) Susannah Clarke died 22 Feb 1771. William Payne died 12 July 1782 in Fairfax County.

From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

William Payne (July 31, 1725 – July 12, 1782) was a Virginia gentleman, vestryman, justice, and Fairfax County sheriff in the late colonial period. He was a supporter of the American Independence movement and a member of the Fairfax County Committee for Safety. In 1755, he had a physical altercation with George Washington over an election issue for the Virginia House of Burgesses which almost resulted in a duel. The two became friends serving together in a number of roles later in life. His eldest son was a pallbearer at Washington’s funeral.

Not who you're looking for? Others named William Payne: English painter and etcher (1760-1830) · English actor and pantomimist · American politician from New Mexico (born 1951) · 17th-century English priest and academic; (1650-1696/7)