CLAYTON - Anthony B. Payne "Tony", age 56, of Clayton, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Bay Health Center - Kent in Dover. He was born July 21, 1959 in Danville, Va., son of Otha B. Payne of Salisbury, Md. and Mildred "Peggy" A. (Ludwick) Mowery of Smyrna. Following graduation from Smyrna High School, Tony held many positions throughout the years working for Metal Masters, Reichhold Chemical, Scott Ballard Electricians, the Horace Pugh family, Parsell Funeral Homes and Prime Care. A devoted volunteer and Life Member of the Citizens' Hose Company of Smyrna he had held positions encompassing fire line positions as Lieutenant and Captain and on the Executive Branch side, serving as President, several terms on the Board of Directors, as Fire recorder, as Trustee and Assistant Trustee and was a recipient for several years of the Calvin E. Foxwell Memorial Award presented by the department and was a trumpeter in the Fire Company Band. Tony attended 3C USA in Smyrna and was generous to a fault, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. Good times hunting or four wheeling in Delaware or Pennsylvania with his friends were some of his most memorable moments. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his father's wife, Carol; and his mother's husband, David; his brother, Doug Payne and wife Pam of Seaside, Calif.; two nieces, Marlee Grounds and husband Adam and Shawnna Hill; his nephew, Paul Payne; and a great nephew, Jackson Grounds; his special little buddy, "Jimmy"; many cousins and extended family in Virginia as well as many devoted friends; and his two canine companions, "POTY" and "CASIE". Funeral Services with Firefighter Honors will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the Citizens' Hose Company, No. 1, 103 W. Commerce Street, Smyrna where a viewing will begin at 10 a.m. A viewing will also be held on Friday evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce Street, Smyrna. Burial will follow the services at the Glenwood Cemetery, 20 W. Mount Vernon Street, Smyrna. Memorial contributions in Tony's memory may be made to the Citizens' Hose Company, No. 1, Inc., 103 W. Commerce Street, Smyrna, DE 19977. Please visit Mr. Payne's Life Memorial Webpage and sign the online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.