William Thomas "Bill" Free

View Video TributeView Funeral Webcast William Thomas "Bill" Free, 73, retired western wear sales representative, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 14, 2010 at his residence in Bradenton, Florida. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Rev. Bob Mowrey officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 1306 Manatee Avenue, West, Bradenton, Florida 34205. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. The Weakley County, Tennessee native was the son of the late Carlton L. Free and Mary Morgan Free. He was a 1955 graduate of Columbia Central High School where he excelled in athletics. After graduation from high school he served four years in the U. S. Navy. He loved traveling in Costa Rica and other islands. His love of sports continued throughout his life. He was an avid golfer and especially enjoyed watching baseball and football. Survivors include his wife, Joan Crawford Free of Bradenton; daughter, Vicky Lynn (Chris) England of Murfreesboro; son, Mark Allen Free of Columbia; brother, James Carlton "Jim" (Ann Todd) Free of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren, Hannah England and Hallie England of Murfreesboro; and step-daughter, Joanna (Tom) McClendon of Smyrna. Serving as pallbearers are John Peppers, Dave Huddleston, Bruce Bender, Bob Ingram, Larry Nance, and Tommy Hight, Sr.