Class of '65 News

In Memoriam: William Boyd Freeman (1946-2006)

William Boyd Freeman, of Sheridan, Arkansas, a member of the Sheridan High School Class of 1965, died on July 7, 2006, at the age of 59. He was born on August 1, 1946 at Sheridan, the son of Edith Elois Lowery Freeman and the late Hollis Freeman.

He was a Heavy Equipment Operator for Horizon Timber Service; a member of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church at Prattsville; a Past Master and member of Sheridan Masonic Lodge #260; a member of the NRA; a member of the American Legion; and a veteran of the Air Force with service in Vietnam.

In addition to his mother, survivors are his wife, Mary Ann Jones Freeman of the home; 3 sons, Brian (and wife Lea Ann) Freeman of Grapevine, Arkansas; John Freeman of Sheridan; Marc Freeman of Sheridan; daughter, Abby (and husband Glen) McCool of Prattsville, Arkansas; 2 brothers, Raymond and wife Georgianna Freeman of Sheridan; Cletis and wife Sharon Freeman of Conway, Arkansas; 5 Grandchildren, Stephen Freeman; Brittany Freeman; Colten McCool; Wyatt McCool and Nora McCool.



In Memoriam: Harry J. Culpepper (1946-2006)

Harry Culpepper, member of the SHS Class of 1965, died Tuesday, January 3, 2006, following a long battle with colon cancer. He was 59.

Following high school, Harry served in the Army, then graduated from Henderson State, before moving to Houston, then El Paso. There, he worked in the mortgage loan business, then started his own home building business. He returned to Arkansas, working for the Pine Bluff Arsenal and the Sheridan School District and serving for a time on the Grant County Quorum Court.

Harry was a devoted member of the church family at First Baptist Church in Sheridan. He was a Mason and a Gideon. He loved to travel and recently completed a family trip through the American Southwest, despite his illness.

Harry is survived by his wife, Cheryl Sue Culpepper; a daughter, Virginia Allen of Springfield, Mo.; a stepson, Scott McIllwain of Port Carbon, Pa.; four brothers, a half-brother, a half-sister, and a multitude of extended family and friends.

Funeral arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home. Click here for further information.


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Broken Memories: Plans Made to Rebuild Sidewalk

Our graduation sidewalk has seen a lot of distress over the years and was severely damaged when the old gym was torn down. As you can see from the photographs, many of the names have been broken away and some whole sections are missing. The school has told us that we can rebuild the sidewalk in any location we want (at our expense). We're currently exploring our options for rebuilding this lasting tribute to the Class of '65,
including location, type of sidewalk, costs, etc. Your suggestions and your financial help are needed to make this a reality.

You can make a contribution to our fund even if you can't make it to the reunion. Make your check payable to SHS Class of '65, mark it for "sidewalk," and mail it to:

SHS Class of '65
     Sidewalk Fund
c/o Mike Harrington
3100 Hwy 270 W
Sheridan, AR 72150



The Class of '65 sidewalk is in a sad state.



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Coach Whitworth Inducted Into Hall of Fame

Charles Whitworth, retired Athletic Director, Coach and Principal for Sheridan Schools, was inducted into the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Friday, July 22, 2005, at a banquet and ceremony at the convention center in Hot Springs, Arkansas.


Coach Charles Whitworth with his wife, Sarah

In addition to Coach Whitworth's family, many former players and friends were in attendance. From the Class of 1965, those that attended were Mike Harrington, David Wells, Larry Hedden and Robert Clark. Rick Balwanz represented the Class of 1966, Gary Hines represented the Class of 1967 and Clyde Jackson and Don Culpepper represented the Class of 1968. One of Coach Whitworth's special guests was Charles Robinette, his longtime assistant coach. David Robinson, recently retired Superintendent of the Sheridan School District, was also in attendance.


Numerous friends and former players were on hand to celebrate Coach Whitworth's special day.

Players from the graduating class of 1965 were the first group to play for Coach Whitworth all three years of high school.

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