William Eugene "Bill" Wright was born January 10, 1946 in Anthony, Kansas, son of Joseph O. and Phyllis (Melcher) Wright. Bill grew up on a farm south of Manchester, Oklahoma. He attended Manchester Grade School through the eighth grade and graduated from Wakita High School in 1964. He furthered his education at Oklahoma State University.

Bill married and was blessed with two sons: John William and Robert Scott.

On August 15, 1987, Bill was united in marriage with Jo Ann Wells. Jo Ann brought one son, Brendon, to this union.

Bill worked at numerous jobs in Grant County and drove truck for many companies throughout the United States, before starting his own farming, cattle, harvesting and trucking business. For more than 40 years, Bill custom harvested wheat, soy beans, milo, cotton and corn, from Texas to Montana and back to Mississippi. Throughout these years he met and made numerous friends. During the winter months, he had his trucks on the road hauling grain to the port at Tulsa, bringing fertilizer and rock back. In the mid 80's through the early 90's, he farmed in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Bill was an Eagle Scout and he supported the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, and bought many boxes of popcorn and cookies. He supported the FFA, buying numerous cases of sausage. A faithful Catholic, he was a member of the St. Mary Assumption Church in Wakita, Oklahoma, but attended many other churches through the years as well. Wherever he attended mass, he always had a pocket full of candy for the kids. He was also a member of the Custom Harvesters and the Humane Society of the United States. An animal lover, he was very compassionate and rescued many dogs.

In the mid 90's, Bill and Jo Ann began vacationing in San Pedro, Belize, Central America, for 4-6 weeks every winter. In 2012, they purchased a Florida home for his retirement. In May of 2013, Bill was in a head on accident and since has been battling many health issues.

On February 19, 2017, Bill passed away at the Community Health Center in Wakita, Oklahoma at the age of 71 years, 1 month and 9 days. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred and Cora Wright and John and Frances Melcher; father, Joe; sister, JoEllyn Sanders; nephew, Chad Wells; and loyal companions, Ace, Jack, Alley and Sam.

Bill will be forever missed by his mother, Phyllis Wright; wife, Jo Ann Wright; sons: John Wright, Bob Wright and companion, Adam Taber and companion, Ronald Boll, and Brendon Christy and wife, Kara; sister, Mary Jane Collins; grandchildren: Lauren Wright and companion, Kaleb Wallis, Will Wright, Bobby Cates, Ryan Cates, Nikolaus Wright and companion, Allison Fox, and Ethan, Trevor and Molly Christy; 1 great-grandchild, Rylee; brothers-in-law, Charles Wells (Lois), Kenny Wells (Dalene) and Bob Wells (Margaret); sisters-in-law, Betty Wells (Tim), Linda Riley (Bob) and Ellen Meyer; friend and caretaker, Tena Shelton; his loyal companion, Joker; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony.

Recitation of the Rosary will be held 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday at St. Mary Assumption Church in Wakita, Oklahoma. Burial will follow in the St. Peter and Paul Cemetery, south of Manchester, OK.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Any Rescue or Animal Shelter of Donor's Choice or to the Wakita Community Health Center, and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003, is in charge of arrangements.