Ben M. Payton, 100, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 in Great Bend, Kan. He was born April 18, 1924 in Ellsworth County, Kan. to Benjamin and Theresa (Borecky) Payton. Ben was a WWII veteran who served in the US Army Air Corps and was a member of the American Legion. He married Dorothy L. Tanton in Ellsworth on July 25, 1948. The couple lived in multiple communities where Ben worked primarily as a utilities superintendent. He retired as the city superintendent for Kingman, Kan. He was a past president of the Kansas League of Municipalities. 

Ben is survived by his daughters, Nancy Miller (Leland) of Great Bend and Susan Swonger (Brett) of Pratt, Kan; sons, Robert Payton (Lara) of Mulvane, Kan. and Dale Payton (Carol) of Tulsa, Okla.; eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren; and sister Ethel Ritchie of Novi, Mich. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Dorothy; four siblings; and grandson Jeremiah McCutchen.

Graveside service: 10:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 at Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of plants and flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439. Condolences can be left at parsonsfh.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Parsons Funeral Home

P.O. Box 45

Ellsworth, KS 67439

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 24, 2024