Richard Payne (30 Jun 1971 - 7 Mar 2023)

In loving memory of Richard Payne, also known fondly as ‘Bud’, who sadly passed away on the 7th of March at Nottingham City Hospital, aged only 51. He will be greatly missed.

Richard arrived in this world in June 1971, the second child of four for Trevor and Jean. Brother to Tara, and later Trudy and Tracey. As a child, he was inquisitive and fun loving, always outdoors, always getting up to some sort of mischief with his friends, sisters, and cousins.

Known only as ‘Bud’ to his family and close friends, he had a close bond with them all. He was a fun-loving uncle, who loved nothing more than joking around and winding up his nieces, Yasmine, Frankie, Zoe and Ruby.

Entrepreneurial in nature from any early age, he was always looking for different ways to make money, starting with setting up a car washing business on Arnold Lane – using an upturned bucket to reach the top of cars – delivering newspapers, summer jobs whilst at school, working for his uncle David, window cleaning at QMC and City hospital, and helping out at his parents newsagents in Arnold.

As a child, Bud was a keen cyclist – and, like many, this would be something he would return to later in life. But Bud’s main passion was for playing and watching snooker. This interest started at the age of 5, whilst spending time with his dad, grandad and uncles at the Sherwood Men's Institute. As an adult, snooker has provided a distraction from work and has seen him play in league matches, make lifelong friends, such as Dougie, Scan & Kev.

Richard was a jovial, sociable, caring, gentle soul, willing to help and lend a hand to anyone. Quietly confident, methodical, organised, patient and compassionate – these were just a few of his many endearing qualities.

However, he was not known for his decisiveness. So concerned with making the ‘right’ decision, often weeks would pass as he agonised over a choice – the burden of which he was only too willing to share with others – at length.

“The thing is…” Richard loved nothing more than a good old chin wag – to ‘chew the fat’, often for hours on end. Talking about endless topics, cars, snooker, and telling his washing machine stories! A person who could immediately put people at ease and strike up conversations with complete strangers.

Richard left school in 1988 and joined a YTS scheme – starting his working life at Greys Electrical. Later on, he started his own business, repairing home appliances with the support of a grant from the Princes’ Trust.

Richard worked for himself for around 10 years until, with technology changing the industry, he decided to close his business. With the help of Garry Holmes, Richard joined Hoover and later worked for Hotpoint with the last 18 years of his working life at BSH – servicing Bosch and Siemens home appliances.

Always independent, Richard was in his 30s when he met his life partner, Debbie. He was devoted to Debbie and during their 20 years together he also developed a strong relationship with Debbie’s children – Amanda and Andrew – and later, Amanda’s children – Chanel, Aleisha, Austin and Jacub.

In January 2021, Richard was diagnosed with bowel cancer, like any obstacle in his life he tackled it head on, focusing on the positives and remaining stoic through-out his illness.

Richard will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Please share your memories, photos, and thoughts with us.
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