William Franklin Freeman, Sr.

William Franklin Freeman, Sr. (Bill)

Bill was born at home in Lancaster County, Ohio on July 2, 1929 to Walter Earnest and Erma Alice (Harden) Freeman.  He passed away at home surrounded by the love and memories of his wife on December 2, 2016, a love truly re-united.

He graduated from Lancaster High School in 1947 and joined the U.S. Air Force as soon as he turned 18.  He went through basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas and then went on to mechanic and advanced mechanic training.  In September 1948, Bill was stationed at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington where he worked on the most advanced bomber of the day -- the B-29 Superfortress.  He was discharged in 1950 and went to work for Boeing for a short time.  When fighting escalated in Korea, he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Bill met Dorothy, his wife-to-be, in the late 1950’s while working for the same employer and they were married on October 1, 1967 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.  They moved to New Meadows, Idaho in 1971 where they purchased a small service station.  It served the community for several decades selling sporting goods, gasoline, ice cream, candy and the famous cinnamon bears at "2 cents each or 3 for a nickel, or a handful for fifty cents".  They would often take various items on trade when customers could not pay.

Bill would go on to serve the city of New Meadows as Councilman and Mayor for several years while running the station.  In 1976, Bill and several of his friends formed the Meadows Valley Ambulance Service where he served as a board member and EMT for many years.  He also served as a volunteer fireman.

Once the station closed and they "retired", Bill worked for Meadows Valley Schools as custodian.  He would be seen at all hours cleaning up after everyone or repairing things for the school district.  He would also drive the school bus picking up and dropping off kids at their homes and school.  When Bill "retired" from the school district, he helped with the Adams County transfer site.

One day after realizing he was getting up in age, despite Dorothy’s objections, Bill joined the Senior Center.  There he served as a board member and eventually became president of the organization.  He would often offer the blessing at their dinners.

It is difficult to write just about Bill as he and Dorothy were always together.  They could grow a garden that produced corn in central Idaho, albeit only about every other year.  He devised a way to grow strawberries without having to stoop all the way to the ground and Dorothy would make the berries into jam.  Until a few years ago, the two of them could be seen riding their bicycles miles from town picking up aluminum cans to donate to the Senior Center.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, stepson Sid High of Heppner, Oregon and nine brothers and sisters.

Bill is survived by William (Loreesa) Freeman, Jr (JR) of Boise, Idaho, Anissa (Mac) Qualls of New Meadows, Idaho, stepson Robert (Diane) High of Scottsdale, Arizona and daughter-in-law Lisa High of Heppner, Oregon.  Among them are eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  Bill & Dorothy also considered themselves "grandparents" to Nora (the daughter of their close friends, the Kellie family) whom Dorothy helped nanny.

No services will be held at his request.  Instead, there will be a celebration of life at a future date.  Announcement to follow (perhaps Father’s Day).  To honor him, please consider donating your time, sharing a meal with friends or serving your community.  We ask that any financial donations be made to the Meadows Valley Community Center (formerly the Senior Center).