William J. Latta, Sr.
Retired Tewksbury Police Officer
William J. “Bill” Latta, Sr., age 78, a resident of Tewksbury for over 70 years, passed away at Lowell General Hospital on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
He was the beloved husband of the late Theresa L. (Langley) St. John-Latta, who passed away on February 1, 2018.
Born in Somerville on November 2, 1946, he was the son of Esther J. (Reale) Latta, who survives him, of Tewksbury and the late John F. Latta.
Bill was raised in Tewksbury and graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School. Later in life, he attended college and received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
In 1975, he began his career in law enforcement and served as a member of the Tewksbury Police Department for 27 years until retiring in 2002.
Bill and his late wife loved the ocean and boating. They were longtime members of the Winter Hill Yacht Club.
Together they enjoyed cruising the coastlines of Maine and Cape Cod aboard their boat “Rowmantic”
In addition, he had a passion for drawing, painting, woodworking, and was known as a “Jack of All Trades”
Besides his mother, he is survived by his four children, James E. Latta and his wife Donna, of Lowell, Wendy A. Latta, of Portland, OR, Christine M. Latta and her companion, Michael Lambert, of Lawrence, William J. Latta, Jr., of Lowell, and their mother, Maureen A. (Murray) Latta, of Billerica: his grandchildren, Cameron, Keagan and Courtney Latta, and McKaleigh and Shaelynn Latta. Bill was the brother of John F. Latta, Jr. and his wife Veronica, of Tewksbury, Kathy Murphy and her husband Thomas, of Wolfeboro, NH and Karen Indelicato and her husband Guy, of Tewksbury.
He leaves his longtime companion, Valerie Bowen, of Tewksbury and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Calling hours are Wednesday, July 23, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. His funeral procession will begin on Thursday, July 24, at 9 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main Street, Tewksbury. Services will conclude with interment at St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Road, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Tewksbury Community Food Pantry at www.tewksburypantry.org