Bennie Clyde "Slats" Freeland

Bennie Clyde "Slats" Freeland, 86, of Joshua died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011, in Fort Worth. Funeral: 10 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Joshua. Interment: Granbury Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mountain Valley Funeral Home. Bennie Clyde "Slats" Freeland was born Nov. 30, 1924, on a ranch between Godley and Cresson to Dwight and Maude Freeland. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Seabee. He married Lela Ruth Hurley on Feb. 14, 1946, in Walnut Springs. Slats was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, golfing and drag racing. He was an active member of Joshua United Methodist Church. He was a loving and caring parent and husband, and will be missed by all who knew him. His parents preceded him in death as did his wife, Ruthy, and son, Terry. Survivors: Sons, Carrol Freeland of Fort Worth and Kris Freeland of Burleson; daughter, Pamela Jo Walker of Burleson; and brother, Jake Freeland of San Antonio. Slats was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren as well as three great-grandchildren. He had many nieces and nephews.