William James Lathan

Feb 15, 1949 -

Mar 11, 2022

Bill Lathan aka William James Lathan has "slipped the surly bonds of Earth and is dancing the skies on laughter-silvered wings." Born on Feb. 15, 1949, he was the first of six children born to Carl and Marjorie Lathan. As a child, he roamed the pinon forests of southwestern Colorado untethered. He loved the wildness and beauty of nature, preferring to camp without a tent so he could see the stars. He fell in love with the uncompromising beauty of Alaska while he was working on the trans-Alaska pipeline and stayed, feeling at home.

Bill is stardust now, one of the brightest pixels of the universe.

"It's the great, big, broad land, 'way up yonder,

It's the forests where silence has lease;

It's the beauty that thrills me with wonder,

It's the stillness that fills me with peace."

- Robert Service, The Spell of the Yukon

Bill is survived by his sister, Kathie (Steve Cone); and brother, Carl (Kathy Johnson). He is predeceased by his parents, Carl and Marge; and sisters, Anita Moorland, Pattie Browder and Laura Williams. Unbounded sorrow.