R.I.P.: OK Station Owner William H. Payne

William Payne

William H. Payne, who owned nine radio stations in eastern Oklahoma, including one in Muskogee, died in Tulsa.

He was 76, according to the Muskogee Phoenix.

Payne owned and operated nine radio stations in eastern Oklahoma: KTFX 101.7 FM Warner/Muskogee, KTNT 102.5 FM Eufaula, KITX K95.5 FM Hugo, KTLQ 1350 AM and KEOK 102.1 FM Tahlequah, KQIK 105.9 FM Haileyville, KSTQ 93.5 FM Stuart, and KYOA 93.5 FM Kiowa.

Payne graduated from Oklahoma City University with a degree in electronic engineering. He had been on the radio since 1953 and was a pioneer in FM broadcasting in Oklahoma in 1963, owning one of three FM stations on the air.

Payne began broadcasting live on June 28, 1962, at age 22 from a one-car garage in Edmond. In addition to being the owner, manager, and engineer of his station, KWHP-FM, Payne sold advertising and announced play-by-play sports.