William Wyatt 'Billy' Latham, Jr.

Mr. William Wyatt "Billy" Latham Jr., 86, of Merigold, passed away Sunday, September 12, 2015. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Ray Funeral Home in Cleveland. Celebration of Life services will be at 11:00am on Thursday, September 17, 2015, at First United Methodist Church in Merigold. He was born February 19th, 1929 to Mr. William Wyatt "Buddy" Latham Sr. and Alice Wiggins Latham. On October 6th, 1973, he married his high school sweetheart Elizabeth Sue Rayner. He was the owner of Sherwood Telephone Company and an employee of Delta Telephone Company for over 70 years. Additionally, Billy owned the Frank E. Jones insurance company and he served as a teller at the Cleveland State Bank for many years. He was also a member and Treasurer of First United Methodist Church of Merigold, Secretary of Merigold Hunting Club for over 40 years, served on the Board of Aldermen for the Town of Merigold since 1959, and was a longtime member of the Mississippi chapter of the Telephone Pioneers of America. He honorably served on active duty in the Air Force of the United States from 1950 to 1953. Billy was tirelessly devoted to the town of Merigold and spent countless hours dedicated to the well being of everyone in the community. He was an avid antique collector, supporter of the local arts and enjoyed "gardening" throughout the town. Mr. Latham is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Sue Rayner Latham of Merigold; Sister-in-Law, Carolyn "Cack" Rayner Meyer of Merigold; Goddaughter, Lucy Hiter Wingett of Merigold/Redwood City, CA and her son Miles Latham Wingett; nieces and nephews include, Dr. Jon Meyer of Merigold/Jackson, Jim Meyer of Merigold, Edgar Meyer of Merigold/Cleveland and Susan Meyer Anderson of Virginia. Also, he is survived by his grand nieces and nephews, John Latham Meyer, Jason Meyer, Edgar Meyer, Harris Meyer, Laura Anderson Walbert, Daniel Anderson, Clayton Anderson, Jonathan Anderson, and Katherine Meyer Patterson. He was blessed with a host of great grand nieces and nephews. Other survivors include his cousins Clay Rayner of Cleveland, Dr. Rusty Field of Louisiana, Ann Ray Cash of Cleveland, John Ray of Boynton Beach, Florida, Jeffie Mae Carter Chatham of Greenwood and their respective families. In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable donation to the First United Methodist Church of Merigold P.O. Box 325 Merigold, MS 38759; and/or Crosstie Arts Council P.O. Box 1064 Cleveland, MS 38732.

Visitation

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Celbration of Life

11:00 am Thursday, September 17, 2015
Merigold Methodist Church 206 S Church Street Merigold, Mississippi, United States