Walter Cleveland Freeman, age 78 born in Jacksonville, Florida on May 7th 1944 passed away on Thursday, September 1st 2022 at his home in Wilburton, Oklahoma.

Walter was raised in Gowen, Oklahoma but spent the majority of his years residing in Wilburton. Walter graduated from Wilburton High School in 1963. He loved his community and always sought opportunities to support the Wilburton Diggers. He served as the President of Latimer County Free Fair for many years and was involved with the Wilburton Round Up Club in the eighties. Giving back to his community meant a lot to Walter and he acted as a mentor to many young men throughout his life. Walter was a 3rd Degree Master Mason with Lodge #141 in Wilburton, Oklahoma. Walter’s greatest passions in life were his family, his community, his friends, rodeo, fishing, and camping. He was a dedicated member of Highbridge Baptist Church. One of his closest friends was his pastor, Larry Mays.

Walter was a hard worker but made a career out of a variety of trades throughout his life. In his younger years he worked for the railroad before going on to work on several ranches, owning his own feed store, operating heavy machinery for Ward Construction Company, traveling for several years as a rodeo judge for Bar G Rodeo Company, and finally retired from Latimer County Highway Department District 1 after working there for 20 years.

Walter was someone who brought people together, whether it be family, friends, or his community. The Freeman Family reunion was an event everyone looked forward to, family and friends alike. Everyone was welcome and everyone was family in Walter’s book.

Walter is preceded in death by his parents, Thelma Louise and LeRoy Freeman, his sisters Connie Clark, Velma Lay, Fay Irby and his nephew, Little Walter.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandy Freeman, his daughters: Robyn Johnson and her spouse, Benton Johnson along with his youngest daughter Stefanie Monroe and her spouse, Billy Monroe, his stepsons whom he considered his own: David deMontigny and his spouse, Lynnsey deMontigny and Michael Freeman and his spouse, Monica Freeman, granddaughters: Megan Fisher, Sarah Wolf, Hannah Murrey, Jordan Monroe, Shelby Freeman, Avery Freeman, and Ally deMontigny, his only grandson, Justin Monroe, his great granddaughters: Anabelle Fisher and Avalyn Fisher, and his sister, Jean Renfro and her spouse, David Renfro, and half-brother, Elmer Ray Remkes, along with numerous nieces and nephews who he was very close to. He was a big part of each of their lives.

Special Mentions: Mitzi Bernardi, Bud Bloxham, Connie Powell, “Polly” Bloxham, Paula Vinzetti, Craig Powell, and Ray Tubbs Pallbearers: David de Montigny, Benton Johnson, Justin Monroe, Gary Lay, James Fisher, Monty Miller, Blain Garrett, Johnny Clark, and numerous honorary pallbearers.

Visitation will be held at Waldrop Funeral Home in Wilburton, Oklahoma on Monday, September 5th 2022. Family visitation will be from 3pm-4pm. Regular visitation will be from 4pm-8pm. Celebrations of his life will be held at Highbridge Baptist Church on Tuesday, September 6th 2022 at 2pm with graveside services to follow. Pastor Larry Mays will be officiating.

Services have been entrusted to Waldrop Funeral Home.