William R. Freed

Lt. Col. William R. Freed (Ret.), 91 of Carmel, died at home May 2, 2017. Bill was born 12-2-25, the son of Lytle and Helen Keller Freed. His mother died of TB when he was 3 and grandparents raised him.

Bill graduated from Huntington H.S. where he was a track star. He enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor after the bombing during WWII. Bill fell in love with Hawaii where he spent 27 winters after he retired in 1985.

Bill attended Huntington College, then received his undergrad and graduate degrees from Ball State. He did ROTC, got his commission, and stayed in the Air Force reserves, retiring with a total of 41 years military service.

Bill also spent 31 years in the field of Education. He was H.S. principal at Bippus and also in Florida; served as Personnel Director at Ball State for 10 years; taught typing and shorthand; and retired as an art teacher from Muncie South Side H.S.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, F. T. Siener; his son, Wm. Timothy Freed; and his step-daughter Cheryl Clark, whose ashes will be buried with Bill. He is survived by Mary Clark, his wife-companion of 28 years; Cheryl’s daughter Jamey Clark, whom they adopted; son, David Freed; step-daughter, Elise Clark and her dad Jim Clark; brother-in-law, Jim (Deb) Siener; sister-in-law, Mary Siener; Tim’s 3 children: Artie, Victoria, and Elizabeth; and Mary’s 2 sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and Aunt Jo Ann Palmer.

Bill went on an Indy Honor Flight 10-31-15, and it was a highlight of his life. Bill loved Dr. Stephen R. Beck and was grateful for the extra years he had because of him.

Family and friends are invited to call Monday, May 8 from 2:00 to 8:00 pm at Flanner and Buchanan – Carmel, where a Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, May 9 at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.

Please share condolences by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com. In lieu of flowers, please perform a random act of kindness toward a US military veteran.