It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Charlton Latta, Jr. on July 29, 2013 at the age of 83 years, with his loving family at his side.
Bill was born on September 24, 1929 in East Liverpool, Ohio. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Nancy, and his four children: Bill (Margaret) Latta, Linda (Barry) Strangward, Leslie Latta, and Tom (Jody) Latta; and grandchildren Anna, Will, Lauren, Evan, Emily, Madison and Kennedy. Bill cherished every opportunity to spend time with his children, grandchildren and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers. Bill graduated as a Fulbright Scholar with a PhD in English from the University of Nebraska in 1965. He moved his family to Regina that year to teach at the University of Saskatchewan (Regina Campus). Two years later, he took a faculty position at the newly opened University of Lethbridge, from which he retired in 1990.
Bill was a published poet and a founding member of the Writer’s Guild of Alberta. Following his retirement from the University of Lethbridge, Bill and Nancy lived in Gifu,Japan for two years while Bill, always the consummate teacher, taught English at the Shotoku Gakuen Women’s Junior College. Throughout his life, Bill enjoyed traveling throughout Canada, especially in the Rocky Mountains and to the west coast. Bill will always be remembered for his gentle, kind and generous nature.
Bill served several terms as the treasurer of ULRFA.
Friends joined the family at a memorial reception on Saturday August 3, 2013 at Country Kitchen Catering, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South (lower level of The Keg).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the current Bursary for English Majors at the University of Lethbridge.