After serving the town of Maplesville as municipal court judge for the last 44 years, William “Bill” Latham has retired.

“I just thought it would be best,” Latham said. “It was time.”

Latham was hired for the job in January 1971 when Henry Clay Nix was the mayor, and Walter Hayden became a circuit judge.

Latham grew up in Maplesville, and often knew or was familiar with the individuals coming before him court.

“There was value in being from Maplesville and knowing most of the people who came before me,” Latham said. “Maplesville was a very comfortable place, and some people referred to it as Mayberry, but I always enjoyed it a lot. I was never a hanging judge, and I don’t think anyone that came before me ever carried an axe.”

When Latham was hired for the position as municipal court judge, he received advice from his father that stuck with him throughout his career.

“My daddy was not an educated man,” Latham said. “He had about third grade education, but he was the smartest man I knew. When I got the job he told me, ‘Son, remember that those people got to live,’ which meant that I needed to be compassionate toward the people coming before me. I really think I tried to do that as best I could.”

Latham estimates he handled roughly 50 cases each month over 44 years.

“I always tried to be understanding if it was a student who had a speeding ticket and needed to pay a fine or something, but I really disliked the DUI cases,” Latham said. “Those, I was not lenient on, and the DUI cases definitely increased throughout the years.”

A reception was held in Maplesville on May 18 as Latham celebrated his last official day on the job.

“I really enjoyed my time as judge and felt like the people who worked with me were really great,” Latham said. “I was always free to do whatever I felt was the right thing, and I really appreciated that.”

Although Latham will no longer serve as municipal court judge, he still maintains his law practice at William Latham Attorney at Law in Clanton.

“I’m not stopping work altogether, but my time will free up a little bit,” Latham said. “I don’t necessarily feel like my job as municipal court judge was a glamorous one, but I will miss interacting with the people.”