Obituary of William E. Freeman Sr.

William E. Freeman Sr., 90, of Peabody, a decorated veteran of the US Navy for 43 years, died Saturday evening at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers with his family at his side. He was the devoted husband of 69 years to Phyllis Jean (Leake) Freeman. Bill was born in Peabody MA on January 17, 1926 in the house he now resides, the son of the late William F. and Florence H. (Currier) Freeman and was a graduate of Peabody High School in 1944. He then enlisted in the US Navy and served in WW 11 and witnessed the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima, the Korean War with the Seabees and in Vietnam stationed with the Marine Corps and later in the Cold War before his retirement as Chief Construction Electrician from the US Naval Reserve on January 17, 1986. Upon his return, Bill was employed at the Peabody Municipal Light Plant as a superintendant of Electric Distribution for 32 years before retiring in 1982. He was a member and Past Commander of the VFW, Post 1011 of Peabody, a member and past president of the US Naval Fleet Reserve of Boston and a member of the Essex County Marine Corps League. Bill was an avid sports fan of the Patriots and the Red Sox but his most precious time was spent with his family and engaging in their lives. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, three sons and daughters-in-law, William E. and Zan Freeman Jr. of Peabody, Phillip and Marie Freeman of Beverly and Paul and Sallie Freeman of Holliston, MA; his grandchildren whom he adored, Melissa and husband Jared Waterman, Christopher, Kaitlin and her husband Tom Gatti , Patrick, Ryan, Meaghan, Cynthia, and the late Matthew Freeman, his great grandchildren, Devin, Cole, Liam, Emma-Jean and Grace and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Raymond, Lloyd, Frank and Charles Freeman, all who also served in the Navy. A Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. His funeral will be held on Thursday at 9:00 AM from the Funeral Home followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Ann’s Church, SO Peabody at 10:00 AM. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite 102-B, Danvers, MA 01923 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka KS 66675 in his memory. For guestbook and directions, visit www.ccbfuneral.com