{"id":6790,"date":"2026-07-06T18:39:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T18:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/?page_id=6790"},"modified":"2026-07-06T18:55:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T18:55:06","slug":"finest-w-c-freeman-jr-1935-1996","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/features\/finest-w-c-freeman-jr-1935-1996\/","title":{"rendered":"Finest &#8220;W.C.&#8221; Freeman Jr. 1935-1996"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/740206536_10234558660847862_4209742079569001710_n-bicentennial-fourth-of-july-parade.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"679\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/740206536_10234558660847862_4209742079569001710_n-bicentennial-fourth-of-july-parade-1024x679.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6791\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/740206536_10234558660847862_4209742079569001710_n-bicentennial-fourth-of-july-parade-1024x679.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/740206536_10234558660847862_4209742079569001710_n-bicentennial-fourth-of-july-parade-300x199.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/740206536_10234558660847862_4209742079569001710_n-bicentennial-fourth-of-july-parade-768x509.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/740206536_10234558660847862_4209742079569001710_n-bicentennial-fourth-of-july-parade-1536x1018.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/740206536_10234558660847862_4209742079569001710_n-bicentennial-fourth-of-july-parade.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Finest &#8220;W.C.&#8221; Freeman Jr. and his motorcycle in the Racine, Wisconsin 1976 Fourth of July parade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The_Journal_Times_1978_08_03_11-finest-cycle-is-chrome-castle-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The_Journal_Times_1978_08_03_11-finest-cycle-is-chrome-castle-512x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Racine Journal Times, August 3, 1978.\nFinest Freeman's motorcycle in all its regal glory\nFinest cycle is 'chrome castle'\n\nBy Patrick Reilly\n\nJournal Times Staff\n\nWhen Finest Freeman of 1645 Racine St. rides his motorcycle down the street it tends to grab people's attention.\n\nHis Harley-Davidson bike has two wheels, two fenders and a motor, but that's where the similarities between Freeman's cycle and other bikes ends.\n\nOf course not every motorcycle has a digital clock, AM-FM stereo in dash 8-track player, loudspeakers and headphones, and red mock-velvet. But Freeman's does.\n\nThe bike has fake red velvet covering the gas tank, fenders, saddle bags and virtually every part of the machine. The seat is of matching red leather and resembles a small horse saddle.\n\nAdd to that, glistening silver knobs running along the front and rear axles and leather straps hanging from the seat and saddle bags. That's Freeman's bike at a glance: a movable chrome castle.\n\nBut Freeman's bike is not finished. He still has more changes and more things to add to the bike he began remodeling in 1969.\n\n&quot;I had been riding a motorcycle since 1966 and when the doctor told me to stay off my bike while I was recovering from a bladder ailment I started rebuilding the bike to keep busy,&quot; Freeman said.\n\n&quot;I wanted to get back on a bike so bad I started working on this bike.&quot;\n\nFreeman bought the 1969 Harley-Davidson bike from a dealer who had been trying to sell it for months.\n\nWhen Freeman bought it the bike had no brakes and was so covered with dirt that his wife's first reaction when she saw it was &quot;get rid of the dirty thing.&quot;\n\nInstead, he began remodeling it. He said it was nothing to start with, just an engine, fenders and a frame.\n\n&quot;I just didn't want it to look like anybody else's Harley,&quot; Freeman said.\n\nFrom that point it took many working hours, money and patience to get the bike to the condition where Freeman can enter it in custom motorcycle shows around the Midwest and southern United States.\n\nFreeman often takes his bike to custom cycle shows in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois to show with other bikers, though the farthest he has actually rode the bike is Davenport, Iowa.\n\nHe has taken his bike to shows in Madison, Janesville and Elkhorn and has won about 20 trophies in custom bike competition, he said.\n\nBesides shows, Freeman also rides his bike in parades. While riding in Racine's July 4th parade, Freeman was asked to ride in Milwaukee's Halloween parade by a parade representative.\n\nFreeman appreciates the recognition, but it has meant sacrifices.\n\nHe estimates that since he started working on the bike it has cost him $12,000 in parts, additions and improvements. As for time spent, he figures about 700 working hours.\n\n&quot;Some of my friends can't see where I find the patience to work long hours on the bike,&quot; Freeman said. &quot;I spend all my spare time working on it. I don't care about fishing, hunting, or going to taverns. It takes just so much time to do things right.&quot;\n\nBefore Freeman puts on a new piece of ornamentation he makes drawings of the addition and then cardboard models to see if it will &quot;work out.&quot;\n\nHe often will ask help from friends in the sheet metal industry to fabricate many of the parts that must be made according to Freeman's design.\n\nNo matter how many changes and additions he makes to the bike, Freeman said he keeps the bike safe and rideable, and always wears his helmet.\n\n&quot;You can play with the back end but you can't do much with the front end,&quot; Freeman said.\n\n&quot;You have to be careful what you put on a cycle. If you put on too much the bike gets out of balance and wobbles.&quot;\n\nJournal Times Photos by Arthur P. Haas\nFreeman and the bike that started out as a 1969 Harley-Davidson\" class=\"wp-image-6801\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The_Journal_Times_1978_08_03_11-finest-cycle-is-chrome-castle-512x1024.jpg 512w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The_Journal_Times_1978_08_03_11-finest-cycle-is-chrome-castle-150x300.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The_Journal_Times_1978_08_03_11-finest-cycle-is-chrome-castle-768x1536.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The_Journal_Times_1978_08_03_11-finest-cycle-is-chrome-castle-1024x2048.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The_Journal_Times_1978_08_03_11-finest-cycle-is-chrome-castle-scaled.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Racine Journal Times, August 3, 1978. Finest cycle is &#8216;chrome castle&#8217;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/740741283_3905326233109165_5280353891780585198_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"406\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/740741283_3905326233109165_5280353891780585198_n-406x1024.jpg\" alt=\"**Finest \u2018W.C.\u2019 Freeman Jr.**\n\nRACINE \u2014 Mr. Finest \u2018W.C.\u2019 Freeman Jr., 60, passed away at St. Mary\u2019s Hospital in Racine on Monday, April 29, 1996, after a short illness.\n\nMr. Freeman was born in New Albany, Miss. on July 12, 1935, to the union of Finest Freeman Sr. and Eteria (nee: McNeal) Freeman. He resided in Racine for 50 years. On February 21, 1953, he was united in marriage to O.T. Wray. To this union four children were born.\n\nMr. Freeman was a hard-working man. He worked various jobs over the years, finishing his career at S.C. Johnson Wax as a Supervisor after working 30 years, retiring in September of 1991. He continued to work part-time at the Johnson Foundation. Family was the most important thing in Mr. Freeman\u2019s life. Along with spending time with his family, he was an active member of the South Gate Lodge No. 6 F. &amp; A.M. and a former Cub Scout Leader. He had a special love for motorcycles and enjoyed riding and customizing his motorcycle for competitive field meets. His 1969 customized Harley Davidson won many trophies.\n\nSurviving to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 43 years, O.T. of Racine; three sons, Don, James (Wenonah) of Madison, and Willie (Ida); one daughter, Denise Lynn Freeman, both of Racine; 17 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; mother and father, Finest and Eteria Freeman Sr.; brother, Russell (Arrilla) Freeman; and sister-in-law, Patricia Freeman of New Albany, Miss. He is further survived by six sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his brother, Willie Hayes Freeman.\n\nFuneral services will be held on Friday, May 3, 1996, at Wayman AME Church, 424 North Memorial Drive, at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Emmett Lee officiating. Interment at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of service.\n\nJ.W. WILKERSON FUNERAL HOME  \n800 Barker Street  \n637-6400\" class=\"wp-image-6793\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/740741283_3905326233109165_5280353891780585198_n-406x1024.jpg 406w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/740741283_3905326233109165_5280353891780585198_n-119x300.jpg 119w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/740741283_3905326233109165_5280353891780585198_n.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 406px) 100vw, 406px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Racine Journal Times, May 2, 1996, obituary of Finest &#8220;W.C.&#8221; Freeman Jr.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/findagrave-184339770_1508191010.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/findagrave-184339770_1508191010-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Freeman\nLoving Mother\nO. T.\nDec. 5, 1935\n\nMarried Feb. 21, 1953\n\nDevoted Father\nFinest Jr. &quot;W.C.&quot;\nJuly 12, 1935\nApr. 29, 1996\" class=\"wp-image-6799\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/findagrave-184339770_1508191010-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/findagrave-184339770_1508191010-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/findagrave-184339770_1508191010-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/findagrave-184339770_1508191010-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/findagrave-184339770_1508191010.jpg 1859w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mr. Finest &#8220;W.C.&#8221; Freeman Jr. is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Racine, Wisconsin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":33,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6790","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6790"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6790\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6803,"href":"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6790\/revisions\/6803"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vindustries.com\/racinehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}