William "Bill" Ray Wright

Mr. William "Bill" Ray Wright, 81, of Fayetteville passed away on Sunday, November 5, 2017 at the North Carolina State Veterans Home.

A funeral service will be held at 12:30 pm Wednesday, November 15, 2017 in First Christian Church viewing will be held one hour prior to the service from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm.  The Reverend Jamie Eubanks will officiate.   Burial will follow the service in Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6 pm to 8 pm Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home.

Bill was born in Carmi, Illinois to Robley and Julia Wright on September 17, 1936.  he joined the Arizona National Guard in 1954 while still a senior in high school.  He served in the guard until 1968 when he went on active duty for two years with the National Guard.  Those two years morphed into twenty.  He retired from the Army in June 1988 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4.  His military career took him to Vietnam, Korea, Fort Lewis, Germany, Panama, Fort Rucker and three tours at Fort Bragg.  While in the service he was awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal (3rd OLC), National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserved Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Meritorious Service Medal (1st OLC).

After retirement, Bill did outside sales for Union Corrugating.  Bill was a long time member of the Rayconda Home Owners Association and a member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).  He enjoyed golf and NASCAR.  Bill also held a Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Julia Hart Wright and his father, Robley Wright.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Wright of the home;  five sons, Donald Wright (Volinda) of Chandler, Ariz., Charles Wright (Terry) of Scottsdale, Ariz., James Francis Wright of Chilliwak, B.C., James Daniel Wright of Fayetteville and David Wright of Fayetteville; two daughters, Cara Lynn Roy (Rick) of Mesa, Ariz. and Autumn Budde of Fayetteville; a sister, Carolyn Barrie of Tempe Ariz.; 14 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren; two nephews and one niece.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church, 1505 Ft. Bragg Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28303.
The family wisheds to extend their gratitude to the North Carolina State Veterans Home.
 

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