William Wright

William Eugene Wright was born on July 24, 1925, in Sharon, Tennessee, to parents Boyd and Julia Wright. Dad, or “Gene” as he liked to be called by family and friends, grew up working on a farm as most did during that time in Weakley County. As a young man, Dad enlisted in the armed forces at the age of 18 during World War II. Pfc. Wright served in the US Army from Sept 23, 1943 to Jan 6, 1946 when he was honorably discharged. Dad was a member of the famed 45th Infantry Division, the “Thunderbirds”, and was involved in numerous theaters of combat in France, Belgium, Germany and Italy throughout the war. One especially notable campaign Dad participated in was “Operation Dragoon”, where on August 15, 1944, 350,000 Allied troops landed by air and sea on the southern beaches of France to battle occupying German forces. Dad was in the first wave of amphibious landing crafts leading the attack. Although I know Dad was very proud of serving his country, he never really wanted to talk about it till later in his life. There is no doubt he served with honor and distinction, and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, among his other decorations and medals. After the war, Dad married Ivie Nell (Tilley) and moved to Chicago. In 1952, our family relocated to Lansing, Michigan, where Dad was employed in the trucking/delivery business until 1985 when they retired to Florida. Dad was a tireless worker and always provided for his family to the best of his ability. Dad taught us the importance of honesty and hard work. But most importantly, we learned Christian values taught by Godly parents. Dad had accepted Christ as his personal Savior in his early 20’s and there was seldom a Sunday that our family missed church. Dad always supported his church very generously and until his death was a member of the Word of Life Bible Church in Fort Myers, Florida. Dad is survived by his second wife, Mary Frances, who lives with her family in San Mateo, Florida, his brother Bobby Wright of Fort Myers, Florida,his son Ronald Wright of North Port, Florida, his daughter Jerri Singer of Fort Myers, Florida, 2 grandchildren—Erika Evans and Mitchell Stevens and 2 great-grandchildren- Trevor Rothe and Vanessa Saulsbury. Dad was pre-deceased by his parents, his first wife, Ivie Nell in 2009, his brothers Carmen and Joe Wayne and sister MaryFrances. Mr. Wright will have visitation Monday evening at Williams Funeral Home in Greenfield, going from 4 pm to 7pm. He will have a graveside service Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Corinth Cemetery in Sharon, TN.