Bill Latimer (left) receives a Torch Award from Stan Craig during the 2011 Memphis Annual Conference session in Paducah, Ky.

William H. Latimer III, a member of First UMC in Union City, Tenn., contributed $4 million to establish a 1,500-acre high adventure Boy Scout reservation in Tennessee.

“Literally tens of thousands of youth from Tennessee and across the country will benefit from this generous gift from Bill Latimer, and we simply do not have the words to express our gratitude,” said Joe Long, executive director of the Middle Tennessee Council.

Latimer, founder of Bill Larimer Investments, has been a leader in the commodities business for 20 years and serves as a member of the board of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Tennessee. He resides with his wife, Carol, in Union City, where he was elected to three terms on the city school board. He serves as the director of the Obion Grain Company, Mayfield (Ky.) Grain Company, Ethanol Grain Processers, Seeds Inc., Burger Bros. Grain Company, United Farmers Plant Foods, Arbor Healthcare and Rogers Oil Company.

Latimer earned the rank of first lieutenant in the U.S. Army after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in industrial engineering. He has three sons — William, Michael and Douglas.

He was one of the principal contributors to the Obion County Public Library, is past chairman of the Administrative Board of First UMC and past president of the University of Tennessee Martin Development Committee.

Latimer was presented a Torch Award during the 2011 Memphis Annual Conference. The award is given to adult leaders who have given exceptional service to the Boy Scouts or other youth-serving agencies.