Engineer Billy Freeman 1973 yearbook		Past  President IAFF Local 122

Retired Engineer Billy Freeman passed away Sunday July 28, 2013.

Billy Wayne Freeman, 80, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2013 with his loving family at his side. He was affectionately known as "Pop" by his family. He was born to Herschel and Maggie Freeman in Waycross, Georgia on May 7, 1933.

Billy was a lifelong resident of Jacksonville. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged. He was a firefighter for 20 years with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and a past President of the Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters. After his retirement as a fireman he was an entrepreneur with investments and ventures in retail and real estate. His business career also included being a realtor with Watson Realty and a marketing officer in the security industry. Billy was a member of Deermeadows Baptist Church and served as a Deacon in the Church. He was a 51 year member and a 32nd degree mason in the Scottish Rite and a member of the Morocco Shrine in Jacksonville.

Pop's special memories and interests included his travels around the country with his wife Betty, Gator football, telling numerous stories of his service experiences in the U.S. Navy and his involvements in events and activities with his grandchildren and family.

He was predeceased in death by his son Billy Wayne Freeman, Jr , parents, brother and sisters. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Betty; children Leslie Spurway (C.O.); James Gilstrap (Suzanne) and grandchildren, Trey and Tyler Clark; Brian, Patrick, and Matthew (Cheryl) Gilstrap; nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on August 9, 2013 at Deermeadows Baptist Church, 9780 Baymeadows Rd., Jacksonville, Florida 32256, with Pastor Bill Carmichael officiating. Interment will follow at Jacksonville National Cemetery at 2:30 PM.

The family would like to thank the staff and especially Melissa Roberts of Community Hospice for all the wonderful and compassionate care given to Pop. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257.