William Robert Latimer

William Robert Latimer passed away at Piedmont Hospital/Augusta on October 6, 2022.  He was the son of the late William and Marion Latimer of Albany, NY. He was a graduate of Sienna College, which he attended on a golf scholarship and worked as an assistant pro at Schuyler Meadows Country Club. A highlight of his collegiate golf came when his Sienna team defeated Arnold Palmer’s Wake Forest team in match play.  He earned a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and continued Ph.D. studies at Harvard University.

He enjoyed three careers: as an account broker at Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith in Providence, RI; as Economic Attaché to Mexico with the US Department of State; and as Associate Professor of Political Science at Western Carolina University. While at WCU, he was twice named recipient of the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award and at retirement was granted Emeritus status. His political expertise resulted in his being a frequent commentator for WLOS TV in Asheville and in demand as presenter/speaker at meetings and gatherings. In 1980 he served as Chair of the Reagan Presidential Campaign for the NC   12thCongressional District and again in 1984 as Chair of the Buncombe County Campaign. He also served a term as Chairman of the Board of Elections in Buncombe County.

He was an avid world traveler with a special affection for Scotland and the British Isles. He loved to read, whether his daily Wall Street Journal, National Review, or the novels of Ian Rankin and Michael Connelly, among others. He was devoted to and over the years personally trained his three Weimaraner dogs.

Upon retirement, he and Anita moved to Washington, Georgia, where they enjoyed the pace of small-town life and the neighborhood at Upton Mill Plantation where he became the unofficial stock market guru.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim and Paul Latimer, and by one sister, Barbara Erwin. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Anita Johnson Latimer; two sons, Hugh Latimer (Kristine) of Roanoke, VA, and Rob Latimer (Hilary) of Mebane, N.C.; two grandsons, Drew and Chris Latimer; two granddaughters, Lily and Laura Latimer; one great-grandson, Max; one sister, Patricia King (Bill); mother-in-law Alza Simonds; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends and neighbors.

A private memorial service will be held on November 26, 2022.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Willis Library or to the Washington-Wilkes Humane Shelter Association in Washington, Georgia.