Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
William Free Obituary
William N. Free, 90, of Toledo, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2024, following a life well lived with honor and care.
Born August 25, 1933, in Seaford, Delaware, to Louis J. and Mary Madeline Free, Bill grew up in Chicago and St. Joseph, Michigan. He received his B.A. from Yale, M.A. from Indiana University, and Ph.D. from Yale.
Bill taught in the English Department at Indiana before coming to the University of Toledo in 1966, where he became a Professor of English with a scholarly focus in 18th century English Literature. During a distinguished career at UT that spanned five decades, he also served as department chair, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.
A devoted husband and father, Bill relished vacationing with his family along the seacoast in New Harbor, Maine. Along with traveling, antiquing and collecting Inuit art, he enjoyed spending time with friends from the university and the Toledo Blade.
Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Louis; and his beloved wife, Anne. He is survived by his children, William, Jr. "Bill," Anne Rebecca "Becky," and Daniel "Dan"; grandchildren, Zack, Cal, Jake and Andrew; his sister, Julianne; and brother, George.
Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Road., on Tuesday, May 14th, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 15th, beginning at 9:30 a.m., in the mortuary, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Please view and sign our online "guest registry" at CoyleFuneralHome.com
www.coylefuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Free
Sponsored by Coyle Funeral and Cremation Services - Toledo.
3 Entries
Robert Como
May 20, 2025
He was a devoted scholar/teacher. A member of my doctoral dissertation committee, along with Michael Manheim and Tom Barden, he was a wonderful man.
Russell Bodi
May 14, 2024
I owe much of my success to the kindness of Dr. Free. He was a mentor and made much of my education possible.
Russell J. Bodi
Ernest DuBrul
May 12, 2024
Bill was one of the good guys and one of the last scholar/administrators at UT. I was lucky to have known him.
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
Make a Donation
in William Free's name
Memorial Events
for William Free
Funeral services provided by:
Coyle Funeral and Cremation Services - Toledo1770 S Reynolds Road, Toledo, OH 43614
How to support William's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor William Free's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
