William H. Wright

William H. 'Bill' Wright was born Friday, March 15, 1918, in Pattonsburg, Missouri. He was the son of Doc and Alva (Thompson) Wright. Bill made Ottawa his home since his discharge from the service in 1945 until his death on Friday, July 21, 2006, at the age of eighty-eight years. He graduated from Gallatin High School in Gallatin, Missouri with the class of 1936. He then graduated from Professional Photography School in Winona, Indiana. Immediately following his military service, Bill went into the photography business for a year with his brother, Gerald, in Trenton, Missouri. He then opened Wright's Studio in Ottawa where he was as a photographer for fifty-three years, retiring in 1998. During his career, his favorite part was taking pictures of babies. Bill served in the United States Army from February 26, 1943, until November 17, 1945, attaining the rank of Private First Class. He served in Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, South France, Rhineland and Central European Campaigns. He was awarded five Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, a European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon, a Victory Ribbon, and four Overseas Bars. Bill was a member of First United Methodist Church; Ottawa Lodge #18, A.F. & A.M. (Ancient Free & Accepted Masons); and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Memorial Post #5901 in Ottawa; former member of the Professional Photographers of America and the Professional Photographers of Kansas; Kiwanis; Ottawa Lodge #803, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Union Chapter #15, Order of the Eastern Star. Bill enjoyed fishing, traveling, baseball and all other sports. He greatly loved his family and his church. On January 31, 1972, Bill was united in marriage with Carol J. Risdon at the First United Methodist Church in Miami, Oklahoma. She survives of their home. He is also survived by his daughter, Jean A. Bullock of Auburn, Alabama, and granddaughter, Carlie Bullock Jones of Atlanta, Georgia. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; stepdaughter, Kay Maack; and brother, Gerald Wright. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 27, 2006 from the First United Methodist Church in Ottawa. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Wright at the First United Methodist Church after 8:30 a.m., Thursday to the service hour. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery in Ottawa. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Franklin County Cancer Foundation, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.