June 23, 2022 |
One of the Platte Valley’s most beloved characters passed away unexpectedly earlier this month. Freddie Williams, a familiar sight walking the streets of Saratoga on his daily rounds to familiar spots, passed away at his home on June 9th.
Fred Kent Williams was born March 29, 1956, in Laramie to Martha G. Brown and Oliver Kent Jones. As a child he was later adopted by Dale Williams. Freddie grew up and attended schools in Laramie and Cheyenne before moving to Saratoga in 1973, where he attended high school and was a member of the 1974 state champion wrestling team. He graduated from Kelly Walsh High School in Casper in 1974 and then entered the Navy.
Following his discharge in August of 1977, Freddie returned to Saratoga. Then misfortune struck. Freddie was working in the woods when he suffered severe brain and physical injuries in a pickup crash. His best friend died in the wreck, and his cousin injured. After more than a year of medical treatments and rehabilitation, Freddie returned to Saratoga where he lived for the next 45 years.
Freddie was never the same after the crash. He did his best, though. Despite his extensive injuries, he remained independent, often doing odd jobs and volunteer work. Survivors include a sister and brother, Kathy and Alan Williams of Saratoga and his step-father Dick Perue, also of Saratoga.
Freddie, always quick with a wave and a nod even for strangers, was a friendly fixture on the streets of Saratoga and a reminder of how small towns take care of their own.
We’ll personally remember him as a fan of Bigfoot 99.
Pictured above: Fred Kent Williams, photo courtesy legacy.com.
