William Ray Tatham Sr.

Bill was born on December 13, 1934, in the tank house at the Twin Pine Ranch in McFarland, where parents Oca and Ruby Tatham worked as farm laborers. The one-room tank house doubled as home to the growing Tatham family only months after arriving from Sallisaw, Oklahoma. As true dust bowl Okies, the Tathams followed work and opportunity from California to Oregon, eventually settling in Clovis in the 1940s.

Growing up in Clovis, Bill was active in church activities, 4H, musicals, and sports, all while being an accomplished prankster. With his five siblings, the Tatham children attended Clovis Union High School for 20 consecutive years from the 1940s to the 1960s. Bill excelled academically and athletically, receiving a scholarship to play football at San Jose State after being named the 1951 Football All-American by his coach, George Kastner.

A devout Christian, Bill met his wife Earline at an Oral Roberts crusade in 1953. Bill and Earline were married in February 1954, and their first son, Bill Jr., was born later that year. They moved to the Bay Area, where Bill excelled as a young staff accountant for The National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) and Continental Can Company. Their second son, Mike, was born in 1958. In 1960, the family moved back to the valley where Bill and Earline started a farming and convalescent hospital business headquartered in the kitchen of their small home in Easton, where the family lived when daughter Renee was born in 1964. The business expanded quickly, and the family moved to Fresno in 1967.

Bill’s professional accomplishments over the next 56 years were well chronicled, from becoming California’s largest private nursing home operator, acquiring ownership interests in the NBA and USFL, running a large vineyard and winery operation, to developing Copper River Ranch and Country Club. But Bill never let wealth or success define him. He never lost sight of who he was or where he came from and remained focused on his destiny.

Bill was a man of quiet faith. Not one to proselytize, Bill’s life was his testimony. In the Tatham household, church attendance was not optional. Try as they may to disable alarm clocks or feign illness, Bill Jr., Mike, and Renee knew their attempts were futile. Sunday mornings usually began with breakfast at Bob’s Big Boy before attending church. Afternoons started with lunch at Cedar Lanes or Happy Steak, then off to spend the rest of the day with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, before returning to church Sunday evening. This strong Christian heritage, forged in Oklahoma and embodied by Bill and Earline, has changed the course of their family for generations to come.

While donating to various causes and ministries for decades, Bill’s most meaningful impact was the time he invested in his loved ones. Even though he maintained a rigorous work schedule, Bill was unwavering in his commitment. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren always knew they were loved unconditionally. He encouraged them to be their best, equipped them to overcome adversity, and led by example. He was always there, regardless of time or circumstance.

His presence in the lives of his children and grandchildren also affected generations of their friends. Papa Bill’s generosity, kindness, and encouragement will be remembered by many. For generations to come, Bill’s grandchildren will hear untold stories of how their Papa showed kindness and compassion to so many.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Oca and Ruby, his wife of nearly 66 years, Earline, sister Doris, and brother Gerald. Bill is survived by his wife Norma, brother Richard and sisters Brenda and Renee; by children Bill Jr. & wife Diana, Mike & wife Denise, and Renee & husband Greg; by grandchildren Megan & husband Alex, Matt & wife Marci, Gregory, and Andrew; and by great-grandchildren Luke, Jack, Havana, Selah, and Zoe.

Viewing will be at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Avenue, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Sunday, January 29, 2023.

The Celebration of Legacy is Monday, January 30, 2023, at 10:30 am at CrossCity Christian Church, 2777 E. Nees Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Teen Challenge Southern California, 5445 Chicago Ave, Riverside, CA 92507 or online at www.teenchallenge.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Tatham family.