William Wayne "Bill" Latham

William Wayne Latham, 90, of Jonesborough, TN, died on Wednesday, May 23, 2023, at Johnson City Medical Center following emergency surgery.

Wayne was a graduate of Cleveland High School.  After high school he enlisted in the Marines and served one year before changing to the U.S. Air Force where he served 20 years.  He served as a load master on C-130 aircraft and served in Korea and Vietnam.  He retired as a Technical Sergeant. While in the Air Force, He played on a military baseball team and made the all-star team as a catcher.  After returning to Tennessee in 1971 he worked for many years at the Veterans Hospital in Johnson City.

Wayne was a devoted Christian and was a member of Rich Acres Free Will Baptist Church where he very rarely missed Sunday school and Church.  He attended church the last Sunday before he died.

Wayne, or Bill, was known for his kindness and generosity.  He never missed birthdays, always sending a card with a little gift inside. After he retired, he loved to help his brother, Ted, mow the grass for several years on the Halls Bottom farm where they grew up.  He was a big SEC fan and loved football, basketball and baseball. 

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents:  Ray and Wilmetta Combs Latham, and five siblings:  Robert Latham, Lena Frye, Carolyn Joyce Latham, Daniel Latham and Ted Latham.  He is survived by his sister, Peggy Latham Semancik (Stephen) and nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces and several great-great nephews and nieces who he dearly loved. 

Wayne was greatly blessed by his many friends at Rich Acres Church and the family would like to thank them for their love, prayers and caring. He also loved visits from Kelli and Norah Todd, family members of Dolores Crowe, his special, dear and cherished friend who passed before him.

Funeral services and burial will be Saturday June 3^rd at the High Point Presbyterian Church in Bristol Virginia where he was a member as a child. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. The service will be at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Kenneth Grindstaff of Rich Acres Church officiating.  Pallbearers will be Brian White, Preston Price, David Harrison, Sam Hyatt, Stuart Frye, Edward Frye and Derek Wagner.  Honorary pallbearers are Clarence Frye and Dana Brackins.

Donations may be made in his memory to Rich Acres Church, High Point Church or St. Jude’s.

The family of William Wayne Latham is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, Main Street location, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 276-623-2700.