Paul L. Wright

Paul was born July 30, 1931, in Peoria, IL, to Joseph E. and Bertha L. (Grantham) Wright. He married Shirley A. Snyder June 29, 1957 and they were married 45 years until her death in 2002. He later married Margaret E. Zaborac on July 17, 2004.

Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, J. Harlan Wright and Robert Earl Wright.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret of Canton; two sons, Mark (Raeann) Wright of Dunlap and Todd (Angela) Wright of Peoria; three daughters, Lynn (Dee) Benway of Peoria, Jill (Jim) Kreid of Peoria and Janet (Rod) Smith of Dunlap; one stepson, Gary (Trina) Zaborac of Liberty, MO; one stepdaughter, Cindy Zaborac of Canton; nine grandchildren, eight step grandchildren, four great grandchildren and two great step grandchildren.

Paul went to work for Caterpillar Tractor Co. in 1949 and retired in 1999 after 50 years of service. He began in the factory in East Peoria, IL, graduated from the machinist apprentice program and retired as a design engineer, spending most of his time at the Research Center in Mossville, IL. He was credited with numerous patents for vehicle and engine design over the years. In addition Paul spent nearly 20 years as a part time driver for Peoria Charter Coach. He loved the large motor coaches, especially those with CAT power.

During the Korean conflict, Paul took some time out from Caterpillar and served in the United States Navy for four years primarily in the South Pacific, working on a supply ship and developing his singing voice with the Navy choir and quartets.

Paul was a follower of Christ and served the Lord his entire life. He was a long time member of Mt. Olive Missionary church in Peoria then later Groveland Missionary Church in Groveland, IL. His love of music was one of his greatest passions which led him to be active in the church choir as a singer, director, and congregational song leader. He enjoyed singing with the Orpheus Club of Peoria for many years as well. In his later years he became a member of the First Christian Church in Canton. He sang in their choir and served as an elder.

One of Paul’s greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren. He was affectionately known by them as “Papa Paul”. He will be dearly missed by his entire family but has left them with a legacy of a strong and determined work ethic, and more importantly he leaves them with a shining example of a deep rooted, abiding faith in Christ….Thank you dad, we are eternally grateful…we love you!

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 pm Monday, August 8, 2016 at Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home 2408 W Willow Knolls Dr. in Peoria.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am Tuesday, August 9th at the funeral home with additional visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Lyall Sutton and Norm Pollitt will officiate. Burial with Navy funeral honors will follow at Swan Lake Memory Gardens.

Memorials may be made to either the Men’s Peoria Rescue Mission, or the OSF-Owens Hospice Home.