Mr. Wright was a graduate of the former Cuba Central School Class of 1940. After high school he learned his machinist trade at the United States Naval Gun Factory in Washington DC. In December 1946 he was drafted and served 2 yrs in the US Navy. He was honorably discharged as a Radio Tech Instructor.
Returning to Cuba in 1946, Bill continued his education before going to work for Acme Electric. From there he worked for a period of 10 years for Motorola of Arcade, Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Middleton CT for 6 yrs, and then in 1972 he returned to North Chili and was employed at Kodak as a master toll and die maker retiring in 1988.
Mr. Wright was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Cuba, the Cuba Volunteer Fire Department, the Allegany County Vietnam Veterans Association and was a former member of Cuba Masonic Lodge 306 F&AM, achieving his status as a 32nd degree mason in the Scottish rite.
Throughout his life, Bill, enjoyed family camping trips, hunting, being part of the chase crew for the "Topper" hot air balloon, watching NASCAR, the New York Mets, and reading Louie Lamour westerns. He also liked puttering in his workshop, attending the little league games at Chamberlain Park and especially enjoyed wintering in Arizona with his wife. He was an avid reader who enjoyed all that the Cuba Library had to offer.
Affectionately known by his family as "Father Time", "Poppy", "Grampy Wright", or as "Po" he will be greatly missed, but will be remembered by his unique catch phrases like "See you in the funny papers" at the end of a telephone conversation or just the simple words of saying love you back after being told he was loved.
Surviving in addition to his wife Esther of 68 years are two sons, Wayne (Martha) Wright of Durham, CT, and
Todd (Sheila) Wright of Randolph, VT; four daughters, Linda (Frank) Belou of Florida, Crystal (Russ) Solomon of Cuba,
Paige (Greg) Price of Princeton, WV, and Marcheta ( Ulrike Gutberlet) Wright of Greenacres, Florida; 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a grandson Steven James.
Family and Friends will be received at the First Baptist Church, 17 South Street, Cuba, on Saturday, August 27, 2011 from 12:30-2 P.M. at which time a Memorial Service will be held. The Rev. Larry A. Poelma, pastor, will officiate.
Burial with Full Military Honor's accorded by members of Cuba's Veterans Organizations will follow in Cuba Cemetery, Cuba, New York.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bill's name be made to the First Baptist Church of Cuba, 17 South Street, Cuba, NY 14727 or to the Cuba Library, 39 East Main Street, Cuba, New York 14727.
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Arrangements are under direction of the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Serivce, Cuba.
