Bill Freeman, Nashville real estate developer, major Democratic fundraiser, dies at 73

Bill Freeman. (Photo: Submitted)

Multiple sources have confirmed that William H. "Bill" Freeman, a titan of Nashville's business community, former mayoral candidate and a leading fundraiser for the Democratic Party, died Sunday night at the age of 73.

No details are available about the cause of death.

A native of Nashville, Freeman attended the University of Tennessee before dropping out to begin his career in real estate. After becoming friends with Jimmy Webb through their involvement with the Nashville Junior Chamber of Commerce, the two launched Freeman Webb Company, a real estate investment, management, and brokerage, in 1979. Prior to that, he worked for the Metro Development and Housing Agency.

Freeman was the single most significant Democratic fundraiser in Tennessee and the Southeast, raising money for President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden, as well as countless Democratic local and federal candidates. He was an early endorser of Biden, who appointed Freeman to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Freeman also served as a member of the White House Historical Association and in 2009 as treasurer of the Tennessee Democratic Party.

He ran for Nashville mayor in 2015, coming in third place after being edged out of a runoff.

He practiced martial arts and was an avid pilot.

Freeman is survived by his wife, Babs Tinsley Freeman and three sons, Harvey, Mike and state Rep. Bob Freeman.

This is a developing story.