William Clinton Wright

William Clinton, son of Walter Clinton and Mary (Hawkins) Wright, was born July 7, 1930 at Linden, Iowa. He grew up in Guthrie County, Iowa, graduating from Bayard High School in 1947. That same year he was united in marriage with Shirley Yates. Following high school Bill completed Barber College, first barbering in Des Moines and then with Earl Carrick in Bayard. Bill enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1950 where he attained the rank of Captain. His wife and three sons lived with him on various bases in the United States. He served one tour during the Korean Conflict and two tours in Vietnam. His flew with the VMFA115 fighter squadron completing 146 missions in the F-4 Phantom Fighter Jets. In the 23 year career Bill was awarded many citation including seven Air Medals for Meritorious Achievement, Navy Commendation Medal with combat V', three Presidential Citations, three Good Conduct Medal, Marine Expeditionary Medal, Marine Reserve Medal, two National Defense Medals, Korean Service Medal, Antarctic Service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After retiring from the Marines on July 1, 1973 Bill earned his Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice. He worked in law enforcement for the probation and parole board. After retiring a second time, he and his wife enjoyed fishing and golfing between their homes in Tennessee and Florida. Then in 2012 they settled in Baxley, GA to be near their son Brad. Bill attended Christ Community Church in Baxley and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Masonic Lodge 717, and Alee Temple. Bill enjoyed good health and a full life until about a month before his death. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on February 20, 2015 at St. Joseph Hospital in Savannah, GA at the age of 84 years, 7 months and 13 days. Preceding him in death are his parents Walter Clinton Wright and Mary Sammon; sons W. Craig Wright and Marc D. Wright and grandson Phillip Wright. Bill is survived by his wife of 67 years Shirley A. Wright of Baxley, GA; son Brad Wright (Becky) Wright of Baxley; two granddaughters Diana M. Wright of Brunswick, GA and Victoria M. Wright of Brunswick, GA; grandson Daniel C. Tuten (Jill) of Atlanta, GA; two brothers Ronald Wright of Jefferson, IA and Johnny Wright (Barbara) Wright of Waukee, IA; sister Connie Heuer of Altoona, IA; other relatives and friends. A visitation was held at Swain Funeral Home in Baxley, GA before he was driven to Iowa for burial with military honors at Highland Township Cemetery southwest of Bayard, IA on Monday, March 2, 2015 at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will follow the committal at the Bayard Community Building.