William Max Lathrom was born on July 22, 1941 to William Riley Lathrom and Betty Maxine Lathrom in Independence, Missouri. He passed away on August 4, 2022 after a brief illness. Max spent nearly all of his life in Southwest Missouri and firmly believed there is no better place on earth to live and raise a family.  His passion for fishing started when his father taught him how to cast a fly rod on the Lindenlure access of the Finley River and culminated with many days spent largemouth bass fishing with "Bassin Sandy" on Table Rock Lake.  His teenage years were spent with his friends playing baseball, football, and swimming at Fassnight park.  Max was in the second graduation class at Parkview High School where he sang in the choir and was captain of the football team.  He would freely admit that his semester at Southwest Missouri State was not a successful endeavor and that he enjoyed his time at the Kappa Alpha fraternity a bit more than his time in class.

Max determined at an early age that corporate life was not for him, and that success or failure rested solely on his shoulders.  His successful sales career started with insurance and quickly transitioned to real estate.  In the early 1970's he established his own agency, Gaslight Real Estate, and also expanded into other ventures including development of commercial properties, single family homes, water slides and apartment buildings.  Always having a strong work ethic, he was an active agent for Murney Associates Realtors up to his passing.

If you knew "Big Max, Billy Max" or any of the nicknames he adopted over the years, you knew him by his big smile that could brighten a room when he saw you, his genuine care for you and that he never met a stranger.  A fixture at Napolitano's or Shakey's on Wednesdays, the Shady Inn on Friday nights and the Village Inn on Saturday mornings, you can be assured he would stop by your table to visit if he saw you.   On a trip to the Village Inn in Kansas City one time he famously said, "this is the first time I've been in a Village Inn and didn't know anybody".  A proud founding member of the "Rogersville Rednecks" there was hardly ever a social occasion missed as he truly enjoyed time with his friends.

Max believed that giving back to Springfield is part of what makes the community great.  Max was an active member of the Abou Ben Adhem Chapter of Shriners International for decades serving many roles over the years including Chief Greeter.  He was very proud of the funds he raised over the years for sick children.

His greatest source of pride and joy above all else was his family.  Max was an honorable patriarch who lived by example for his children and grandchildren. His quick wit, devotion, wicked sarcasm (hit you with the truth because you needed to hear it and nobody else would say it), love of storytelling (especially gossip), and genuine care for anyone in his orbit will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him.

Max was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother Richard (Dick) Lathrom.  Max is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 50 years Sandy, daughter Lauren Ann (Laurie) Edmondson (Ben) granddaughters Emily and Amy; son William Mark Lathrom, (Tosha) grandchildren Madison Thompson (Alex), Shelby, Riley, and William Linden Lathrom. Additionally, he is survived by nephew Richard (Richie) Lathrom (Tracy) daughters Eva and Addison, and nephew Jeremey Lathrom; Sandy's daughter Melissa Howard and son Skyler Owen. Plus, many dear friends who were like family.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at The Maples and Seasons Hospice for their loving care in recent weeks.