Mr. Bruce Nolan Free, age 57, of Gadsden, Alabama passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Collier-Butler Chapel. Rev. Kyle Sullivan and Bro. Lauil Thompson. Interment will follow at Williams-Southside Memorial Park. Collier-Butler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bruce was born on September 30, 1963 to E.J. and Helen Free. He graduated from Ashville High School in 1982. He was a member of the Whorton Bend Volunteer Fire Department for 37 years. Bruce loved his family, his community, and golf cart rides with Duke. His favorite time of the year was the ShoeBox packing time, Operation Christmas Child. He would always buy enough crayons to put into every box. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents: E.J. and Helen Free; and brother, Brian “Florida” Free.
He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Traci McGlaughn Free; daughters, Mollie and Maggie Free; sisters, Elaine (Guy) Green, and Deborah Standridge; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Tony (Leslie) McGlaughn; sister-in-law, Lynn (Terry) Lucas; brother-in-law, Ryan (Jamie) McGlaughn; nieces and nephews, Kim Vandevander, Jason (Laura) Green, April Gilliland, Olivia (Chad) McGinnis, Holly Gilliland, Graham Brady, Mason McGlaughn, Anna Brady, and Tucker McGlaughn; numerous great nieces and great nephews. Special Buddies, Jacob and Matthew Champion.
Pallbearers will be Graham Brady, Mason McGlaughn, Tucker McGlaughn, Jason Green, JJ McGinnis, Elijah Turner, Ethan Weaver, Avery McGinnis, Chris Thompson, Gregg Thompson, and Brandon Snyder.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Duke Free (man’s best friend), Whorton Bend Fire Department, Rainbow City Fire Department, Southside Fire Department, and A-Med.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Riverbend Baptist Church-Operation Christmas Child.
The family wishes to express sincere thanks to Gadsden Regional Medical Center, Bruce’s prayer warrior Lamar, and all family and friends.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
