WILLIAM N. FREEMAN

Actor, Radio Broadcaster

Appeared on stage at Phoenix Little Theatre and the Sombrero Playhouse.

Arizona radio pioneer “Bill” Freeman, 88, passed away on March 27, 2014. He was born in Battle Creek, Michigan to Norman J. Freeman and Ida M. Freeman (Brown). He attended Battle Creek Central High School and later graduated with honors from the NBC announcing school at Northwestern University. Bill then went to work for WOOD Radio in Grand Rapids, MI. On February 14, 1946, he married his wife of 65 years, Anne Marie (Naimo) Freeman. In 1947, Bill and Anne moved to Phoenix. Bill went to work for KARV in 1946 and KRUX in 1947. In 1950, he joined Gene Autry at KOOL radio. Bill’s passion for hobbies and toy trains led him to open Freeman’s Hobby Haven in 1952 while still working in radio. Bill purchased KUEQ AM 740 in 1962 and created a beautiful music format that was later shared by its sister station, KMEO 96.9 FM, which Bill also founded. Other stations Bill announced at included: KBUZ, KHEP, KONI, KTAR, KRIZ and KPAZ TV. In addition to his radio work, Bill performed with the Phoenix Little Theatre and the Sombrero Theatre. He broadcasted both the Phoenix and Scottsdale Symphonies. From 1979 through 1988, Bill provided marketing services to Turf Paradise and in the 1990s booked music events for El Gran Mercado.