William Lee "Bill" Wright

He was born December 19, 1930 to Russell and Helen (Howard) Wright in Princeton, IL. He was an integral part of raising his five siblings during the Great Depression while his mom worked to help feed the family. He had fond memories and funny stories from small-town childhood. He graduated from Princeton High School, and enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served four years in the Korean War in England and Germany, becoming a Staff Sergeant. He told about witnessing Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.

He was a life-long gifted artist and avid learner. He collected and read books on numerous subjects, and was a master of several trades. After moving to Colorado in the 1960s he was a professional sign painter for Longmont Signs and Decals until retirement, and was also an extremely talented leather worker, wood carver, furniture builder, carpenter, silversmith, gunsmith and re-loader, clay sculptor, jewelry maker, rock polisher, ham radio operator, fisherman, gold prospector, photographer, go kart racer, short-term boxer, and that’s the short list.

He enjoyed horses and the Western lifestyle, and loved the Colorado mountains and hiking. He and wife Marlene originally dated on horseback in old Longmont where they would ride to the corner of 17th and Main to the root beer stand on dates. They married in Longmont on October 25, 1969. He greatly enjoyed the horse shows and rodeos that his daughter Doreen participated in, and was excited to watch the grandkids do the same. He loved the friends that were made through the Saint Vrain Saddle Club, Cloverleaf Riders 4H Club, Colorado POA club, various hobby associations, and daily lunch at Aunt Alice’s Kitchen.

He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, collected Bible commentaries, and filled his Bible full of notes. He and Marlene were early members of Faith Baptist Church in Longmont. He wanted everybody to read John 3:16 and be assured of where they will spend eternity. Bill was a true American patriot, who wrote many editorials to the paper in defense of the Constitution.

He adored and cared for Marlene, his wife of 51 years, daughter Doreen, and was a model husband and father. He was kind and quiet, yet tough as nails as he battled life long health issues. He was very proud of his mother, his siblings Jim, Nancy, Butch and “baby Stub”, and treasured his sister Mary Jo and their special bond. He thought the world of his grandkids and many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

We will miss him greatly, but we have not lost him and do not mourn as those without hope. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and we will see him forevermore on that bright and glorious morning.

Bill is survived by his wife Marlene; daughter Doreen (Dave); grandchildren Sean (Danna), Megan (Tad), Codi, Bailey and Chancey; sister Mary Jo Roark of Longmont; brothers Gary “Stub” Wright (June); Terry “Butch” Wright (Marlene) and several great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Russell and Helen Wright (Genin); brother James “Jim” Wright and sister-in-law Sue; sister Nancy Fandel and brother-in-law Dave; brother-in-law Bob Roark; and nephew Gary Wright.

Red white and blue is requested at the service, and contributions can be made to X2D Ranch Ministries of Ault, Colorado in Bill’s memory to help those in need.