Bill Freeman

Bill Freeman’s Tennessee and Aviation roots ran deep. Born in Nashville, he attended University School of Nashville and the University of Tennessee. He seemed to always had a deep love and passion for aviation. His first job was as a lineman at Nashville International Airport (BNA), where he worked a shift every day after school, and reveled being at the airport and around the airplanes at any time. At age 16, he had the opportunity to take his first flight and it was then that he knew flying would be one of his greatest passions for the rest of his life.

While aviation remained his primary hobby, Bill’s professional career was in his other passion: real estate. His real estate career began in Nashville in 1965. In 1979, he co-founded Freeman Webb Company with his good friend and their company grew to be the largest Tennesseebased owner/manager of multi-family and commercial properties. Throughout the building of his company, Bill Freeman’s love for aviation never wavered. Bill bought his first plane, a Cessna 182, in the 1970s and would own many various types of aircraft over the rest of his life.

Bill Freeman’s love for aviation came full circle when he was appointed to the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board in 2016 – the same airport where he worked as a teen. He considered it a great honor to serve on the MNAA board, citing the airport as a key economic engine for the whole Southeast region. His board officer positions included Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. He also Chaired the board’s General Aviation/Operations/Planning/Engineering Committee. Bill served on the board until 2024.

Bill Freeman’s love of aviation and his business success also allowed him to give back to the community. For over 20 years, he donated his planes, as well as his pilot services, to the Life Flight Network – a not-for-profit service to transport critically-ill patients and help to save lives, at no cost to the patients.

In addition to Bill’s aviation and business journey his life was dedicated to his wife, Babs Tinsley Freeman, and their three sons, Bob, Harvey, and Mike and grandfather to seven grandchildren.

Bill passed away in November 2024 at age 73.

For his exemplary service and contributions to Aviation in Tennessee, our Nation and the World, Bill Freeman is enshrined in the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame this 27th day of September, 2025.