Wright, William J. 1937-2024 St. Joseph, Mo.
By NewsPress Now
William Joel Wright, 87, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully on Sept. 9, 2024. He was born in a farm home about 1 mile northeast of Perrin, Missouri, to Joel Clyde “Mick” and Geneva Reva (Golden) Wright. It was the Great Depression and life was hard on the farm. His parents told the story that he was the “only” thing they produced that year on the farm. Those who knew and loved him, or who worked with him through the years, counted Bill as a role model and great presence in their lives.
Bill attended a one-room schoolhouse, the Martin School, in rural Clinton County, Missouri, and then high school in Plattsburg, Missouri, graduating in 1955. He attended U.S. Trades School in Kansas City, training for auto mechanic, graduating in May 1956 and working for various auto dealerships/parts supply stores. He found his calling, though, when he joined the Missouri Air National Guard on Feb. 14, 1958, of which he was a member for the next 39 years.
Following his Basic Military Training for the Reserves, he was a self-employed farmer from 1958 to 1962, when he was offered full-time employment and began his Missouri Air National Guard Military Technician Training. At that time, his military assignment was for Flight Engineer (1962-1969), for which he also trained.
In the Military Technician area, Bill began as a Flight Line Mechanic, then worked his way up through Aircraft Crew Chief, Quality Assurance Inspector, and various supervisory roles, becoming Field Maintenance Superintendent and then Base Environmental Manager. Through hard work Bill achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, the highest rank for enlisted personnel.
Following retirement he became a real estate broker-salesperson with Coldwell Banker General Properties, in St. Joseph. In his spare time, Bill started playing the guitar and also took harmonica lessons.
Bill’s greatest success in life was the loving family relationships that he developed and nurtured over the years. On Jan. 30, 1965, he married Mary Catherine Grace. Their favorite times were spent raising their four children, and spending time with their 10 grandchildren. Bill and Mary shared a love of travel, taking their kids on many memorable family vacations. Mary passed away in 2013, a month prior to their 49th wedding anniversary.
A few years later, Bill was fortunate to meet and marry Marjorie “Marji” O’Neal Pettry on April 16, 2016, with whom he enjoyed eight years of marriage. In addition to their strong faith in God, they shared a love of family. Some of their favorite pastimes included dancing, fishing, and watching Chiefs games. Marji provided loving care when Bill received cancer treatment in 2023 and more again in the last weeks of his life.
Bill is survived by Marji; his children and grandchildren: Jennifer (Gary), Jacob, Daniel, Toby; Kevin (Kathryn), Rebecca, Jacquelyn; Chris (Carley), Sabrina, Katie, Colin; and Angela, Oliver, Alexis. Also his stepchildren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Connie (Mark) Faber, Charles, David, Phillip (Hannah), Alice, Charlie, and Daisy; and Donald Pettry. He is also survived by brothers, Sam (Vivian) and Mike (Mary) and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Bill’s faith was very important to him and he was a lifelong Catholic, serving in various roles at St. Francis Xavier Church, of which he was a member since 1965.
Rosary 6 p.m. with a visitation following until 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
