Long-time NCHSAA official and regional supervisor, Bill Freeman, passed away last week. Freeman was chosen as an NCHSAA’s Golden Whistle Award winner in 2011 which honors officials who demonstrate leadership, performance, service and training for the betterment of officials, possessing officiating abilities emulated by fellow officials and being regarded as a person of integrity and character. 

Freeman's career as an official began in 1953 and he has been extensively involved with the NCSHAA for over 35 years. He has specialized in recruiting, training and scheduling officials for football, basketball, baseball, soccer and volleyball, forming the Metrolina Officials Association in 1975.  He was one of the first booking agents to implement a detailed web-based officiating scheduling program and has earned the respect of both officials and school administrators throughout his career.

When he retired in 2011, his company, Bill Freeman Sports Officials, was responsible for representing nearly 600 officials for all sports and scheduling more than 10,000 games for Mecklenburg and surrounding area schools as well as some recreational leagues during the year. His organization was replaced after his retirement by six officiating associations to complete the work that was handled by Freeman, his wife and their assistant.

He is survived by his wife Caroline; son Mike; daughters Carolyn Wilson, Sharon Gray, Carol Winchester; grandchildren Alyssa Gray, Christopher Winchester, Chad Winchester, Brooke Eckel; three great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 25th at 10AM with funeral at 11AM at Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington.

In lieu of flowers memorials should be made to Hospice, Charlotte Region. An online guestbook is available at www.heritagecares.com.