Final Salute

Moss Wayne Latham

July 14, 1946

Aug. 25-2026

Moss Wayne Latham, 80, of Merced, Calif., passed away after a bout of Pneumonia and MRSA at Fresno Veterans Hospital. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He will be deeply missed.

Wayne was born on July 14, 1946 in Louisville, Ky., to Frances and Winston Lee Latham. Sadly Winston died the night before Wayne was born. Frances then married William (Bill) Hackett who raised Wayne as his own. Wayne had one brother Jimmy Latham who proceeded Wayne in death.

Wayne attended Woodlake and Sunnyside Elementary Schools, Strathmore High School and Porterville College where he earned an AA.

Wayne and Della Fuller met in high school and married in May of 1967 and remained married until Wayne’s passing on August 25, 2026. Wayne and Della have two sons, Darrell of Florida and Brad of Porterville.

Wayne has two beautiful granddaughters by Darrell, Amber of Merced, Elisha of Genevieve, Fla., and a handsome grandson, Daniel of Florida.

Wayne has one beautiful granddaughter by Brand, Cheyenne of Porterville and one handsome grandson Cole of Porterville who has a son, Ronald.

After Wayne graduated from high school he joined the U.S. Navy as a Seabee. He was stationed in Port Hueneme, Calif., Adak, Alaska, Vietnam and San Diego. After leaving the Navy he worked for General Cable in Lindsay for more than 20 years, making numerous long-term friends. When General Cable closed its doors Wayne went to work for Foster Farms in Porterville and then he moved to Merced. He went to work for UpRight in Selma.

Wayne was a member of the Porterville Elks Lodge and American Legion in Merced. He loved photography and traveling with his family throughout the United States. He loved bowling and he bowled with Amber Latham at Bellevue Bowl in Atwater every Tuesday where staff loved his sense of humor and started calling him Papa.

Wayne was loved by most people who knew him and was always there for Della’s best friend, Debra Dean.

Due to Wayne’s generosity and open door policy many people called his home the Latham Motel. The extra bedroom always had someone living there. They have all become family members. Debra Dean became Aunt Debbie, Gena Plymale became a daughter, Brittney Plymale became a granddaughter and Peter Lease became a grandson.

As Wayne’s health declined he was seen by the most wonderful medical team at Fresno VA. He became friends with Dr. Gong,, Dr. Dunnaway, nurse Diania and nurse Vera. His caretaker Kaye became a close friend of the family. His physical therapist called him Papa. His sense of humor endeared him to all of them.

Wayne will be deeply, deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, (404) 935-6444, [email protected], 912 Killian Road S.W., Lilburn, Ga. 30047. No person or their family should have to go through this horrible debilitating illness.

Donations can also be made to Pink Heals, 339 N. Westwood, Porterville 93257.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. October 25 at the Porterville Elks Lodge.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Porterville Recorder on Oct. 17, 2026.