Will Howard Latham

February 26, 1928 – December 10, 2021

Will Howard Latham, born Feb. 26, 1928, in Wickett Texas, passed peacefully on Dec. 10, 2021, in Moses Lake, Washington. His father was Emory Howard Latham and his mother was Amy Elizabeth Latham.

Will Howard Latham was born in the barren land of Wickett, Texas, and raised in Tinnie, New Mexico. He moved to Moses Lake, Washington, in 1955 to work in construction, operating heavy equipment while living at the Grant County rodeo grounds. In 1960, he purchased land in Mae Valley. They moved there on the undeveloped land, with no running water or electricity. He hand-dug a well with help from his friends, built an arena for roping and training horses, bought roping calves, and developed the land (picking many rocks) to grow alfalfa. A house was built, and a farm grew to 750 acres of alfalfa with 400 head of cattle at one point. Eventually cattle were transported to a ranch near Chesaw and the Canadian border, to graze for the summer. Connected to the land, crops, and animals, up in the nights checking on the mama cows having their babies in the snow or sleeping in the pickup until the dew was just right to bale. He did it all, without complaint. He also loved to cook, and you could taste the love and patience that went into his meals.

Will married Nancy in 1980, his wife of over 40 years. They encountered challenges but were able to stay on course and worked together to gain great successes! They farmed during the spring and summer months, and wintered in Bullhead City, Arizona, where they enjoyed their second home and spending time at the casinos. Will loved to tell people how special Nancy was to him. He kept a paper in his wallet which said, “You are a jewel,” which he got out of his wallet often and shared with others. He was a “real” cowboy, with such integrity.

Will’s family includes daughters, sons, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Will loved his family very much and he had a special bond with each of his grandchildren. He was always smiling and happy when his family was around. In his final few years of life, dementia struck and took away a lot from Will. Yet, it never took away his beautiful heart. We want to especially thank Veronica and the crew at Blue Goose 2 for their love and care of Will in his final year.

He was survived by his wife Nancy Latham; children Cathy Latham, Chip (Merrie) Latham, Teddie (Mack) Chapman, Troy (Ruth) Latham, Jackie (Jeff) Pope, Greg (Sherri) Kasparek and Gary (Tully) Kasparek and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held later.

Please express your thoughts and memories at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories of Moses Lake, Washington.