Resources

WILLIAM WRIGHT

Obituary

Guest Book

Be the first to share your memories or express your condolences in the Guest Book for WILLIAM WRIGHT.

View Sign

MAJ. WILLIAM WRIGHT U.S. Air Force, Retired Maj. William D. Wright, of Syracuse, N.Y., passed away peacefully Thursday morning, June 7, 2012, at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, N.Y. He was born in Williamsport, Pa., to William D. Wright of Addison, N.Y., and Flora Delker of Williamsport, Pa., Nov. 10, 1922. He resided in Montoursville, Pa., until he left to attend Bucknell University, where his third year as a medical student was interrupted by the World War II draft. He received his commission as a second lieutenant July 1, 1949 through Officer's Candidate School and served 20 years I the U.S. Air Force. Maj. Wright was a veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the "Cold War," the Vietnam War and an "Atomic Veteran." He was assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing of the Strategic Air Command at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, N.M., participating in Operation Ranger, The Atomic Bomb Tests in Nevada in 1951. As the radiological defense officer on board a B-17 during Shot Able and a B-29 during Shot Baker-2, he witnessed the explosions and tracked the radioactive "Mushroom Clouds." Maj. Wright was recognized with letters of Appreciation and Commendation from commanding Maj. Gen. A.W. Kissner and Lt. Gen. Curtis LeMay. These letters and other artifacts will become part of the collection at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The major's military career, as an intelligence officer took him as far away as Brady Air Force Base, Fukuoka, Japan, and Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska. Family ties brought him to Barrington, N.Y., his home for the last 18 years. Bill served on the Dundee, N.Y. School Board and as the liaison officer for the Air Force Academy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine "Gerry" Ryan in 1998; an his sweetheart, Dorothy "Dottie" Knoell in 2010. He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen Wright of Barrington, and Martha Wright. Maj. Wright received a military funeral with full honors and was interred Friday, June, 22 at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., at the pleasure of the Department of Defense, with the gratitude of the nation. He loved the United States of America and lived his life on his terms - good advice to us all. "Wheels up, Major! ... wheels up, Daddy."

Print | View Guest Book

Related Memorial Sites