William S. Freeman
William Sommerville Freeman, 98, of National Pike, Grindstone, Pa., died Saturday, May 4, 2002, in LaFayette Manor, Uniontown, Pa. He was born Jan. 30, 1904, to the late Jannette and John E. Freeman.
He was raised in Ellsworth, Pa.
Wed 57 years, he married the late Hilda Minerva Gribble, in 1925, and they settled into his current home in Grindstone, Pa., in 1939.
Over the years, William was actively involved in church activities, farming, gardening and family events. He enjoyed hosting annual family reunions and spending the winters in California. Finalizing his career as a Fire Boss at Clyde and Agnes Mines, Republic Steel Foundation, he retired in 1964, after 49 successful years in the coal industry.
He was a member of the United Christian Church of California, Pa., and a former member of Dunlap Creek Presbyterian Church. He served as an elder, Trustee, deacon and on the Tri-County Men’s Fellowship. He was also a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Lodge No. 60, in Brownsville, and the Consistory in Pittsburgh.
Surviving are two of his three daughters, Phyllis and husband, Clifton Bowser of Bartow, Calif., and Irma and husband, Wilbur Davis of Brownsville, Pa.; five grandchildren, Joyce (Davis) Kielbasa and husband, Eddie of Virginia Beach, Va., James Price of Uniontown, Pa., and Paulette Price of Hopwood, Pa., Gene Davis and wife, Carol of Mansfield, Ohio, Walter Bowser and wife, Mary of Dallas, Texas, and Holly Bowser and husband, Alvaro Sandoval of Barstow, Calif.; ten great-grandchildren, Mia and Ami Price of New York, N.Y., Kimberly and Brooke Price of Uniontown, Pa., Karen and Kevin Kielbasa of Virginia Beach, Va., Scott and Mallory Davis of Mansfield, Ohio, and Morgan and Matthew Bowser of Dallas, Texas; and several nieces, nephews cousins, other relatives and many friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hilda; a daughter, Janet and husband, Wendell Price; brothers, Charles, John and Clyde; and sisters, Maude Remlinger, Marie Mitchell, Irma Yaugher and Jannette Freeman.
Friends will be received in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park St., Brownsville, Pa., on Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m., and on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m., the hour of service, in the United Christian Church of California, Pa., with the Rev. Dr. Wesley Ward officiating. Interment will be in LaFayette Memorial Park.