William F. Wright

William F. "Bill" Wright, passed away October 18, 2021 at McLeod Hospice House, Florence, SC. Born on May 8, 1937 in Lumberton, NC, he was the son of the late Thomas E. Wright and the late Virginia P. Gale. He spent much of his childhood years with his grandfather Frank L. Parnell in Raft Swamp, NC.

Bill graduated from Lumberton High School and the Ford Marketing Institute of Atlanta. He was in the Automobile Industry for over 60 years and was a huge car enthusiast with Model A’s, Mustang GT, Torino GTs, Jaguars, and Zimmer Motor cars being his favorites. He was a walking encyclopedia when it came to Mustangs and Lincolns.

He owned the Ford Lincoln-Mercury Dealership in Kingstree, SC for 16 years as well as the Chrysler Plymouth Dodge dealership for a couple of years before leaving the area in 1985. From 1986-1998 he was the Dealer Principle at Lumberton Ford Lincoln Mercury and is credited by Ford Motor Company for having bought and sold more Lincoln program cars than any other dealer in the United States from 1988-1993. From 1990-1998, he also was a partner at Mullins Motors – a Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, GMC, Cadillac, Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, Jeep dealership in Mullins, SC. He never missed “going to the sale” on Thursdays at Clanton’s Auto Auction (now Manheim Auto Auction) and was a perfectionist who expected the same out of his employees. Throughout his lifetime, he inspired hundreds to achieve greatness in the automobile industry.

He was a Past President of the Kingstree Rotary Club, Past President of the SC Ford Dealers Association, and Previous Director of the Ford Dealers Advertising Association. He never met a stranger and loved living life to the fullest! He also enjoyed traveling, boating, walking his puppy boys in the park, and collecting hats of all kinds.

Mr. Wright is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary Ann Dean Wright; two daughters, Bonny Thomas and Joy Rudd, four grandchildren; Jody O’Neill, Cherish Thomas, Dane Rudd, and Bailey Rudd; and his Miniature Schnauzer puppy boy Charlee.

He is pre-deceased by his sister, Linda Canaday and Miniature Schnauzer puppy boys – Choo Choo, Pepper, Spanky, and Romeo.

Services will be private with the family. A Celebration of Life Party will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bold & Beautiful Wigs for Cancer, 1561 Hwy 17 N., Little River, SC 29566.

A guestbook is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.

Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.