Willie Earnest Latham

Willie Earnest Latham, 75, of Amarillo, TX died Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Private graveside services will be at Northlawn Memorial Gardens in Dumas, TX.  Memorial services will be at a later date.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors of Dumas, 500 N. Maddox Ave.

Willie was born August 25, 1944, in Ralls, TX to W.A. Latham and Maggie Berry Latham.  He graduated from Dumas High School in 1963.  On January 27, 1964, Willie enlisted in the US Navy and served in Vietnam from 1965-1966.  He was honorably discharged in 1967.

On May 2, 1964, Willie married Linda Willis.

In 2018, he and his son went on the Texas Panhandle Honor Flight.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Alfred Latham, 1981 and Maggie Love Berry Latham, 1982; a brother, Charles Eugene Latham, 2010; two sisters, Willie Mae Marricle, 2014, and Patricia Ann Fewell, 2015; and a brother-in-law, James A. “Buck” Marricle, 2016.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Linda Latham; a son, Alan Latham; a daughter, Sherry Latham Jennings; son-in-law, Jeff Jennings; granddaughter, Madison Christine Jennings, who is attending college at George Washington University in Washington, DC; grandson, William Jeffrey Jennings, is a senior at CHHS; step-grandsons, Ross and Kyle Jennings; an uncle, Wayne Latham, of Slaton, TX; a sister-in-law, Jane Bergstrom; and a brother-in-law, Bennie “Arthur” Fewell.

Viewing will be from 2-8:00 p.m., today, Friday, March 20, 2020, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo, TX and from Noon-1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 21, 2020, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 500 N Maddox Ave., Dumas, TX.

 

From his Granddaughter and Grandson

“My PaPa was an incredible man that taught me more about life than I could ever properly articulate with just words. He was one of the first male figures in my life that didn’t define my worth based on my gender. He wanted me to be strong, confident, and intelligent rather than just beautiful. All that mattered was that I was his Granddaughter, and everything else was just circumstantial. I can remember so many times in my life when he pushed me to focus on my studies more than anything else, and motivated me to go for bigger and bigger goals. He knew that I could do it if I relied on God and my abilities, and he helped me see that. Life was a constant adventure for him. He filled my brother and I’s childhood with so much life and joy. Whenever we were in town he and my Grandmother had new ideas about where to take us each day, but he’d never explain where we were going. He would always say, “I’ll tell you when we get there.” Papa knew he was being clever and laughed to himself about it, but it didn’t stop my brother and I from guessing incessantly. The only way he could get us to stop guessing was by playing the same Johnny Cash CD on the way there. He loved his music and in a lot of ways I connected with my Papa through music. Get A Rhythm will always be one of my favorite songs because of him. PaPa wasn’t always the most expressive person I knew with words, but I always knew what he was trying to tell my brother and I with the jokes he made, the music he listened to, and the way he approached life. I hope I can have half of the wit and strength that he had. I love you PaPa and thank you for showing me how to find joy in times of sadness.
Love,
Madison

PaPa…I can’t believe this is happening but thank you for everything. You are my everything and you were always there for me when no one else was. All those summers that we spent with y’all. All those times you took me to the gym, skatepark, the mall, and especially Chucky Cheese!!!! Thank You PaPa for helping me to become the man I am today. You are my biggest role model. I love you sooo much PaPa!!! All of those car rides in your pickup truck. That was the best thing ever when I was a kid …even though I had to leave my pacifier at home and I wasn’t happy about that!But either way I’m glad I threw the pacifier on the ground every time because we always had fun. You’ve taught me soo much. You taught me how to shoot a gun for the first time. You helped me learn how to ride a bike, learn how to play basketball, taught me how to be a handyman, and soo much more. Just know that I love you so much and I hope you’re in a better place now!!! I still remember all those nights I would fall asleep with you in your chair because we would just watch all your amazing shows and movies! I love you PAPA!!! REST IN PEACE….Redneck!
Love,
Will

22 Replies to “Willie Earnest Latham”

  1. We did not know you long but came to love you as a dear friend. Your laughter always brought joy and we looked forward to walking into church and seeing you and Linda. We will meet again one day. Linda, our prayers are for you and your family.

  2. Linda, Alan, Sherry and family,
    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. We always had so much fun with your family. Ernie was an amazing man that was always kind and funny. Mom had so many good memories that she shared with me today. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with each one of you. Love,
    Debra Weaver Goodlett

  3. I am so happy I met him. He was a loving man and I am privileged to call him Dad. They way he supported and loved me and my girls as his own was such a blessing. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I love you all.

  4. Linda, Alan & Sherry
    So sorry to hear of Ernie’s passing. Prayers for your family. May God comfort you all during your loss.

  5. Linda, Alan and family! Ronnie and I both have felt the loss of a fun, caring and witty friend! Wish we had more time together with this amazing man but know he is cracking jokes in heaven and keeping everyone laughing! We will always treasure the time we did have, and so thankful to have walked this journey of life for a short time with a man like Willie!

  6. To Ernie’s family. I am so sorry to hear about Ernie. Kenneth and I sure liked him . I remember as kids we all went to the Latham’s house then to the trampolines across the street to risk our lives on those dangerous contraptions. May God Bless each of you
    Kenneth and Joyce Land❤️

  7. Well Ernie this is a sad day for me I have joked and laughed with you so much when when you lived with Gene and I an Arizona when you were in the service you were a comfort to me because a lot of times when Gene and I love by myself you’d laughed and joked. Then Linda came along and there was more jokes and laughter. Then came the time that Gene and I move to California and then again on the telephone you were a Republican and I was a Democrat and you would give me holy heck about that I love you like a brother and I know you are in a better price out of pain God bless you..janice Latham

  8. We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Willie! I will miss the times getting caught up with you guys at the doctors office. Praying for you Linda & all of the family! Love Vickie & David Mata and Joe & Gayle Moree

  9. Linda, Alan and Sherry,
    You are all in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. We will miss seeing him although those times were few. He always brightened our day. Hugs and love to you all.💗

    Keith and Cheri Morris

  10. Linda, Alan, Sherry, and family, you have been and will continue to to be in my prayers. Willie, or Ernie, as I knew him, was always a kind man. I know he will be missed terribly. Please know that I’m thinking of you and praying for you on a regular basis. All my love, Elizabeth Farni

  11. So sorry for your loss. He will be missed. He never failed to stop and visit with me at church. Heaven got a good man. Prayers for you Linda and family.

  12. Will always remember the times Yvonne and I stayed with you and Linda. Love the way you picked on Yvonne, because she didn’t take the led off of her eye drops and didn’t know why they would come out. You will truly be miss. Love, Loretta

  13. SAD TO THE PASSING OF WILLIE, HE WAS A GOOD FRIEND AND I KNOW HOW HE LOVED CARS, THOSE OF THAT KNEW WILLIE M HE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS.PRAYING FOR YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY. GH CLASS OF 62.

  14. Linda and family, I know I speak for the class of ’63. We are so sorry for your loss. Willie will remain in our hearts. Thoughts and prayers for the family.

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