Willis B. Wright
August 3, 1933 ~ September 19, 2013
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Willis B. Wright, 80, of Candler, died Thursday, September 19. 2013, at St. Joseph Campus, Mission Hospital, after a 14 month victory over lung cancer.
A native of Buncombe Co., he was a son of the late Darrell and Estalena Dryman Wright.
Mr. Wright was a graduate of Candler High School, and served in the National Guard. He worked at American Enka for 32 years retiring in 1983, then fulfilled his second career retiring from the NC DMV Enforcement in 1996.
He was a member of Hominy Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon for over 40 years, and he also volunteered at DayStay. He was also a professional photographer, especially at weddings, having shot more than 500 weddings, and photographed athletics in Hominy Valley over a 50 year span. Additionally, he helped organize the Hominy Valley Football Little League.
Mr. Wright is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bettie Jackson Wright, whom he loved, adored, and cherished; sons Robert Lee "Bobby" Wright, Timothy Willis Wright and wife Marilyn, and Michael Chris Wright and wife SaDonna; his 4 blue eyed grandchildren Michael Christopher Wright, Marissa Ashton Wright, Seth Aaron Wright, and Hannah Christine Wright; his sister Ida Dean Miller; his brother Robert Wright, Sr. and wife Evelyn; and 18 nieces and nephews, each of whom he cherished as his own, with a special fondness of Ronnie, Donnie, Barbara, and Robin, who spent many summers with him here in the mountains.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at Hominy Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Joe Yelton officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
His family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hominy Baptist Church, 135 Candler School Rd., Candler, NC 28715.
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Tim & Family…….Please know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I remember your dad fondly as a beloved photographer in this community.
Tim and family,
We have fond memories of your Dad over many years. He did a wonderful job taking the wedding pictures of our daughters and through the years when we would see your mom and dad together, we always enjoyed sharing with one another about special events in our families’ lives. God bless you during this time of grief.
Sorry about Mr. Wright, he did our wedding photos back in 1979,he was a sweet man.
Willis was a great man and a true role model to us. He will be sorely missed by many many people. Our condolences to the family.
James and June Causby
Willis was a kind and gentle man. He always had a kind word to say to me and Terry always asking how we were doing whenever he saw us. He was a great servant of God and I will miss him dearly.
Betty and family,
You know what Willis meant to us, couldn’t have known a nicer guy.
Love,
Ted and Betty Lou Crowder
Bobby,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I always liked your dad, and admired his photography.
Willis photographed my wedding as well as my daughter’s! He was such a gentleman, our prayers are with all the family.
Bettie, you are in our prayers. We will see you soon. We love you!
Chris and family,
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Chris and family,
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Chris, Tim and Family –
You will all be in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks.
Tim,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of sorrow. May God breathe peace and comfort into you heart.
My deepest sympathy and prayers to all the family for your loss.. We all loved Willis. He was such a wonderful man…..I guess God needed another Angel, so he called him home…..With condolences, Jewel
Dear family,
Audrey and I send our best wishes during this time of loss. Willis was a great person and co-worker at American Enka. What a legacy to leave, and inspiration to us all. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bettie & Family – Jim & I were so sorry to hear of Willis’s death. We enjoyed knowing, working and going to church with him when we lived in Candler. I will always be grateful to him for being my photographer at our wedding. We will be thinking of you and praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time and the days to come. Mr. Wright took our wedding pictures in 1977. It was always nice to cross paths over the years. Seems like he always remembered everyone. We will keep you in our prayers.
Bettie & Family- Willis was a wonderful person & will be missed by alot of people. He always had a smile on his face & so pleasant to talk with. My prayers are with all of you.
My condolences to the family of Mr. Wright during this time of their loss.
Deepest sympathies to the Wright family on your loss. May your memories and knowledge of Mr. Wright’s Heavenly home bring you comfort in your grief.
The Smyer Family
(Virginia friends of Bob and Evelyn)
Bettie and family – We are sorry to learn of your loss and wish all of you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Willis was a truly wonderful person and will be missed by many.
Jimmy & Carolyn Treadway
Tim, you and your family are in our prayers.
All my family is very sad for the loss of your husband, children, grandchildren, family members and friends. He was a great man and we admired him, he ways always friendly, and always had a warm smile. Pat, Cheryl, Dana,& Brad
Betty and family I am so sorry for your loss of this dear sweet man. He always had a smile and a friendly face no matter where and when you saw him. He will surely be missed by all that knew him and loved him. We all know he is in a better place and as God promised we will see him again.
Love to you all.
I`m sending our Condolences for my dad, Herbert Frisbee, and myself Melita Frisbee. You all are in our thoughts and Prayers.
Chris and Family: so sorry to hear about Willis what a sweet man he was, always smiling. He was the photographer at my wedding and I will remember him fondly. God Bless you all at this time. Chris I miss seeing you at Fuddruckers. Hope you and your family are doing well.
Chris and Family: so sorry to hear about Willis what a sweet man he was, always smiling. He was the photographer at my wedding and I will remember him fondly. God Bless you all at this time. Chris I miss seeing you at Fuddruckers. Hope you and your family are doing well.
Betty, you know we love you and Willis both. He was such a good man. Many of us have pictures that he took for us, Mom and Dad’s anniversary, my wedding, (the first one that didn’t take) Etc. He will be remembered with fondness. Kathy and Jolly
Betty and family we are sorry to hear of Willis passing. He’s now in the arms of a just and loving God,with no more pain and heartaches. I will never for get the times he and the boys came to Twin Barber Style Shop. Willis was a man of great character. All of you are and will be in our prayers.
My sincere condolences to Willis’s family. I have good memories of the gentleman that was a co-worker and Justice Ridge neighbor.
Mr. Wright will be very missed by family and friends.
Bettie and family, We were so sorry to hear of Willis’s passing. You have our deepest sympathy.
Jim and Barbara
Betty and family. Our sympathy is extended to you and our prayers are with you for this time. There are so many good memories of Willis’s contributions to the youth of Hominy Valley and beyond. His photographs tell the history of the community.
Bettie and family, Jack and I know your memories of Willis will keep him in your hearts and thoughts for the coming years. Willis was so friendly and caring to all. He certainly will be missed by the Hominy Baptist family for he was such a worker. We are out of town so cannot be there for the services, but want you to know we are thinking and praying for you.
Tim – Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We are so sorry for your loss.
– From the whole Mike’s Team.
Mr wright was a kind man always had a smile when I saw him.my best memories of him are at day stay/hominy Baptist where we volunteered together him and his wife spent many hours preparing meals for hominy he will be missed dearly by all
Mr wright was a kind man always had a smile when I saw him.my best memories of him are at day stay/hominy Baptist where we volunteered together him and his wife spent many hours preparing meals for hominy he will be missed dearly by all
To the Willis Wright Family
Sorry to hear of the passing of your Loved one. Your family is in our prayers. May God Comfort all the family during this time.
Ken Oliver ( neighbor )
Dear Tim ~ I am so very sorry for the loss of your Dad. The flood of memories is overwhelming. He has always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. He will forever be in my heart.