John "Bill" Freeman

John “Bill” Asbury Freeman 94 of Havana, Florida, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at his residence surrounded by his family.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at First Baptist Church Havana. His family will receive friends one hour before the service at 12:00 Noon. The interment will follow the service at Hillcrest Cemetery in Quincy, with Senior Pastor Dr. Eric Erskine officiating.

Bill was born on November 14, 1930, in Quincy, FL, to the Late Robert Thomas Freeman and the Late Mamie Lillian Spence. He attended Quincy High School and graduated in 1948, then attended Florida State University. He served in the United States Air Force during Korean War. He married Thelma Faye Strickland on July 15, 1955.

He had many careers: He grew shade tobacco, worked in a Bayuk Tobacco Company as the Florida Rep. transferred to Connecticut, and worked as the assistant manager of Meyer and Mendelson growing shade tobacco, then moved to Venice, Florida and became a stockbroker and was elected to the Venice city council, then became the president of the council. He also served as chairman of many committees, both in Venice and in Sarasota County

He was the chairman of United Way in Sarasota County. He served faithfully as a deacon in South Venice Baptist Church for many years. He coached and served as president of the Venice Little League Association. He was very proud to be appointed by Gov. Reubin Askew of the State of Florida to the Southwest Florida Criminal Justice Committee, where he served for several years.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years Thelma (Strickland) Freeman; his four children Brad Freeman (wife Cathy); Mike Freeman (wife Elisa); Jan Brouwer (husband Scott) and Lynda Schulte (husband Tom) His grandchildren Jeremy Artz, Jessiann Artz, Julie Artz, Blaine Schulte (wife Megan), Bryce Schulte (husband Max), Melissa Barnwell (husband Danny), Robbie Freeman, Andrew Freeman, Christopher Freeman, Erica Freeman and three great-grandchildren.

He is proceeded in death by his brother Robert Freeman and his sister Marian Frances Bevis.

Faith Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the Freeman family with arrangements. (850-539-4300 or www.faithfuneralhome.com)