W. Niles Freeman Jr.

W. Niles Freeman

W. Niles Freeman Jr., 87, of Charlottesville, and formerly of Vienna, Virginia, died at his residence at Our Lady of Peace on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

Born in Washington D.C., on March 1, 1922, Niles graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. After high school, Niles joined his father in the printing business, first at the Washington Shopping News, and then at Mercury Press, in Washington.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1942, serving on the S.S. Jason, a repair ship, in the South Pacific. In 1952, Niles was instrumental in founding Beacon Press, in Richmond, serving as company president until 1965, when the company was sold to Media General Corporation.

He was predeceased by his parents, William Niles Freeman Sr. and Mildred Shreve Freeman; and his wife, Madeleine Lurba Freeman.

He is survived by his sister, Barbara F. Kast; his brother-in-law, Jacques W. Lurba and his friend, Yingjun Shu; a daughter, Catherine F. Holder and her husband, Arthur Austgen; and by a son, William N. Freeman III, and his wife, Cheryl Simpson-Freeman, DVM. Niles is also survived by his special friend, Katie Scruggs; and his devoted caregiver and friend, Margaret Green.

Niles felt blessed by his many friends, both residents and staff, at Our Lady of Peace, where he was known for his engaging personality and dry sense of humor.

There will be a graveside service 1 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2009, at the Stonewall Memory Gardens in Manassas, Virginia, with Chaplain Eva Marie Ireland officiating.

A memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Peace in Charlottesville, Virginia, at a later date.

Contributions may be made to Our Lady of Peace, 751 Hillsdale Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901.

Friends may sign the guest book at www.hillandwood.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.