He grew up during the Great Depression and ran the only feed and supply store in Greenbrier, TN. While his brothers were gone to war, he had to grow up fast and run his family’s store at the age of twelve. He graduated from Greenbrier High School in 1947, where he was a standout in sports. He chose to get married and start a family instead of pursuing a baseball and basketball scholarship to Temple University. He was hired as a baseball and basketball player by DuPont in Old Hickory, Tennessee, and transferred to the Martinsville, VA DuPont plant in 1952. He loved his many jobs at the local DuPont plant and worked there thirty-eight years. He worked his way up to a job he loved overseeing quality.
He was Martinsville High School's biggest fan for over sixty-five years. He was a deacon, Sunday school teacher and lay speaker for over sixty-five years. He was the first President and co-founder of the Martinsville Association for Special Needs Children and co-founder of what became Marc Workshop. He was the President of the Martinsville and Henry County Little League and Pony League and Chairman of the Martinsville Recreation Association. As Chairman of the Recreation Association he was instrumental in building many of the local fields including Southside Park.
He was the President of the Martinsville High School Booster's Club for many years leading various fundraising missions to support Martinsville athletics. He was the first soccer coach at Carlisle School, despite having never seen a soccer ball. He coached girls softball and boys baseball there also. He coached many sports through the years and touched the lives of countless children. He was called "Pops" by all players and coaches and remained very active in Martinsville High School athletics until he died.
He loved God and his family more than anything, followed by his friends. His family and grandchildren were the light of his life. He also loved and followed the Bulldogs, Yankees, Kentucky basketball, and Tennessee football. He loved to play golf and fish with his family and friends. There weren’t many private ponds he didn’t sneak into with his buddy Wimp to catch all of the fish. The family would like to thank all of the coaches and friends who have been so wonderful to him over the years. Friends are welcome to come by his home to visit with the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be mailed to the Martinsville Area Community Foundation, 300 Franklin Street, Suite 230, Martinsville, VA 24112 for a scholarship that will be in his name.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, June 20 at 12:00 pm with a visitation at 11:00am at First Baptist Church of Ridgeway with Reverend Lewis Harris officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Burial Park
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Augusta Troutt Freeland; brothers, Thomas Allen Freeland and Robert Elmore Freeland; twin sister that died as an infant; his daughter, Doris Lynn Freeland and son-in-law Dan Draper.
He is survived by his son, William “Butch” Freeland, Jr. (Terry) of Martinsville, VA, Daughter Debbie Draper of Roanoke, VA; four grandchildren, Shane Draper (Danielle), Will Freeland (Brittiany), David Draper (Aimee) and Tyler Freeland; and four great grand-children, Jack, Quinn, Penelope, and Daisy.
