Wilbur Bryce “Bill” Freedman, 90, a long-time farmer of Columbus County from the Western Prong community, 周一去世, 1月. 28, 2019 at home following an extended illness.
He was born June 16, 1928, the only child of the late Wilmer Wade “Bo” and Brightie Elliott Freedman. He graduated from Whiteville High School in 1945.
Bill began his farming career as a young boy working on his parents’ farm who were tenant farmers in the Chadbourn area. His parents purchased their first farm in the Smyrna community and resided there until moving to their second farm in the Western Prong community. His parents had planned for him to go to college having saved their 棉花 for several years to pay the tuition bill, but Bill convinced his parents to sell the 棉花 and purchase an additional farm. He discovered early in life that farming was his passion and did so until his early 80’s. Together with his parents and his son Barry, 他种植烟草, 玉米, 大豆, 小麦, 棉花, 花生, 草莓, 甜土豆, 西兰花, 牛肉的牛, 猪和干草.
In 1950, the Korean Conflict was a major concern for the country, and Bill felt that it was a young man’s duty to serve his country; therefore he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy for four years on the USS Osbourn DD 846.
In 1960, he married Pearl Watts Freedman and they were blessed with a son, William Barry in 1964 and a daughter, Ava Michelle Freedman in 1969.
Bill not only had a passion for farming but for spiritual/civic service as well. He was a member of Western Prong Baptist Church having served as deacon, choir member and Sunday school teacher. For 40 years, he was a Columbus County Supervisor for Soil and Water Conservation. He served both as county chairperson and as district chairperson. He served 40 plus years on the Columbus County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He was a member of the Columbus County Economic Development Commission for 13 years and served as its vice chairman. He was a member of the Whiteville City School Board of Education for eight years. He was awarded the Woodmen of the World Award for Outstanding Conservationist of the Year in 2007. He served many years on the Elections Committee for Brunswick Electric Membership Cooperation. Until his health began to decline, Bill would be found at most political functions, and he actively supported political leaders. He served as the North Whiteville Precinct Chairperson for numerous years. Bill loved people and he loved to share his views on many topics.
His family will receive friends from 12:30-2 p.m. 周六,2月. 2 at Western Prong Baptist Church. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be conducted at 2 p.m. 周六,2月. 2 at the church with Rev. Ronnie Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Peacock’s Columbus Memorial Park. Peacock Funeral 首页 is serving the family.
Bill is survived by his wife, Pearl Watts Freedman; his son, 巴里和妻子, 丽莎·斯奈德, of the Western Prong community; his daughter, Michelle Freedman Luhrs and husband, 迈克尔, of Charlotte; grandchildren include, 威廉·瑞德, 迈克尔 Bryce and Zachary Grant Freedman, all of the Western Prong community and Ava Lauren and Ashley Michelle Luhrs, 夏洛特的两个.
Memorials may be made to the Veterans Memorial Park of America Inc., P.O. Box 2046, Whiteville, N.C. 28472 or to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 206 Warrior Trail, Whiteville, N.C. 28472.
Online condolences may be made at www.peacockfuneralhome.网.