William Maurice “Bill” Tatum

William Maurice “Bill” Tatum was born May 23, 1934 and went to his Heavenly Home at 9:13 a.m. on Oct. 10, 2005.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Havis and Daisy Hannigan Tatum, and his brother Bob Tatum.
He is survived by his wife Edie Tatum of Lytton Springs; son Keith Havis Tatum and wife Nina (whom he loved like a daughter), of St. Croix, U.S. V

irgin Islands; daughter Debbie Tatum of Keithville, La.; granddaughters Stephany Ivy and Tiffany Morgan of Keithville, La., Kaleena Kay Tatum of St. Croix, and Shannon Tyler of San Francisco, Calif.; grandson John Lawrence Tatum of Bradington, Fla.; three great-grandchildren; three stepsons, Terry, Michael and David Strawn; and seven step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear and close friends Jim Kelly and Dwight Tucker, whom he thought of as brothers.
Bill”s career was spent in law enforcement and hotel management.
He loved to fish, especially deep-sea fishing – but health problems prevented him from going in the past few years.
Bill was so very proud of his children. When his daughter followed in his footsteps to become a peace officer, he was so happy yet worried, too, at her choosing a dangerous occupation, as he himself had been shot while making an arrest. He was equally proud of his son Havis, who is an artist and sculptor. Bill loved to talk about his latest piece of work or what he was doing or planning on doing.
Bill was a wonderful, loving husband. He always put his wife first and anything she wanted to do was fine with him. They loved and trusted each other. He was good-natured and a good sport as he put up with lots of jokes and tricks she played on him.
Bill was a Christian and only a couple of weeks ago said that he wished God would call him home. He got his wish. No more suffering. Thank You, God.
Bill will be cremated and his remains scattered in the ocean in Florida, by his son and family as requested.