Austin Floyd Freeman

Austin Floyd Freeman, 94, of Fayetteville passed away Oct. 20, 2015 at Clarity Pointe Fayetteville, Ark. with the comfort of Circle of Life Hospice, family and Clarity staff at his side. Austin was born in Arkadelphia Ark. to Aggie McDaniel and Lihue Freeman. He enlisted in the US Air Corp and served in the 80th Fighter Group "The Burma Banshees" as a P-40 fighter pilot in the China/Burma/India theater in WWII. He flew 154 combat missions earning two distinguished Flying Crosses and two Airmen's medals. He finished his WWII career as a flight instructor. He like many others considered flying the Hump (over the Himalayas) the high point of his career. Austin had attended Henderson State College prior to his enlistment and on returning from overseas attended University of Texas at Austin. He remained in the service in the air reserves, married Charlyne Hasley, bought a farm and worked as a rural mail carrier for 35 years. Austin enjoyed fishing, pitching horseshoes and playing pool. He was a great family man and friend. Austin was preceded in death by his wife Charlyne and son Steve. He got a second chance at love when he married Betty Helms and along with her family made many happy memories. Survivors include his wife Betty Freeman of Arkadelphia, daughter Karan Freeman of Fayetteville, Ark. and husband Bill Elder, granddaughter Meredith Hendricks and husband Peter Nierengarten and great-grandson Austin E. Nierengarten. He also leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Austins' life to be held at RiverBend Lodge, Sunday, November 1 from noon until 5 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to your local Veterans support Association, AETN for their support of the oral history of WWII veteran's project, or your choice of charitable organization. Nelson-Berna Funeral Home and Crematory of Fayetteville handled the cremation arrangements.