Obituary of William George Latham

William George (Bill) Latham of Dorchester, Ontario passed away peacefully on November 29, 2024, aged 88. Bill was born on July 10,1936 in London, Ontario to Ross and Emily Latham. He attended South Collegiate in London, obtained a degree in Education at the University of Western Ontario and became a teacher, initially in Ridgetown and then at Lord Dorchester Secondary School, where he would teach until retirement. He met the love of his life, Billie, in 1962 on a blind date arranged by Bill’s sister Janet, who nursed with Billie at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. On their first date, Bill took Billie to a Maple Leafs game, dinner and dancing to a live band. It was magical, and the magic of their remarkable commitment and deep love for each other would continue for the next six decades. Bill made his family the centre of his life, and was a devoted husband and a loving and generous father and later grandfather. The family enjoyed many beautiful sunsets and campfires on the beach at their family cottage in Bayfield, Ontario, and took memorable trips to explore Western Canada, the Maritimes and different regions of the U.S. Bill and Billie cultivated in their children and grandchildren a lifelong love of reading, political discussions and live theatre. While still in high school, Bill developed two interests that would stay with him for life: business and jazz. At that time he started several entrepreneurial ventures, including manufacturing golf balls, and saw some of the world's most popular jazz artists when they performed in London. He read extensively, with a lifelong curiosity that encompassed politics, business, history, farming and many other topics. As an English teacher, Bill challenged and brought out the best in students. He would later complete a BLS degree at UBC during a sabbatical year in Vancouver, and as the Lord Dorchester librarian was a pioneer in bringing online resources into the school. After his retirement in 1995, Bill and Billie traveled to China, Australia and to visit their daughter and son-in-law, then living in New Zealand. They spent many happy winters on Jekyll Island, Georgia. Bill leaves behind his beloved wife of 60 years, Billie; his children Tim (Candace) and Nancy (Allan Coukell); grandchildren Clara and Joseph, and Curtis and Carter; sister Janet Caskey and brother-in-law James Caskey; sister-in-law Merle Bennet; and many nieces and nephews who adored their wise and learned uncle. The family would like to thank staff at Meadow Park and Dearness Home for their friendship, care and devotion to Bill over the last 3½ years. A celebration of life will be held at 1pm on January 4, 2025, at Dorchester United Church, with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to donate in memory of Bill are asked to consider the Dorchester United Church or a charity of your choice.