Bruce was  a member of the U.S. Army in 1968 when he married Anne. He later moved to Charlotte County, VA, and became a gentleman farmer, which included owning Red Hill Farm, a National Bicentennial Farm. He was a prominent leader in the Keysville community.  Bruce died on December 23, 1997, from injuries sustained in a car wreck which happened when he and his wife were traveling to see their son., Charles Bruce Payne, III.  He is buried in the Vaughan Cemetery located on Red Hill Farm, Keysville, Charlotte County, VA.