William "Bill" Wright

William "Bill" Wright

               Bill was a blessing to all who were fortunate to know him. Whether you were his wife, child, grandchild, sibling, friend, coworker, or just an acquaintance, he had a way of making you feel welcome, uplifted, and worthwhile.  Bill was a kind, gentle, cheerful, and genuine man whose focus was family and he took great joy and pride in helping others.  He loved reaching out to others and greeting them in a way that just made their day. Our lives are all better because he was in it. Bill left this world peacefully in the early evening hours of August 25th, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. We are all comforted knowing that he is now in the loving arms of the Lord he loved so much and is once again with all his loved ones who have gone before him. 

               William Harry Wright was born in Tacoma, Washington on December 24, 1927, an early Christmas blessing to his parents, Arthur and Alice Wright. The oldest of 3 children, he spent his childhood years in Tacoma and loved sharing stories of his life there. His well-lived life came full circle. He was born in Tacoma and left us 90 years later in Tacoma. Bill moved to Enumclaw with his family before his junior year of high school and quickly became involved in school life there. At EHS, he participated in athletics, was a yell king, and served as Boys' Club president. With his charming, happy demeanor, he made many life-long friends quickly and was part of the graduating class of 1947. Following graduation, his family briefly moved to Alaska, but missing friends, Bill returned to Washington.  He worked in a few different jobs, one of which was working for his father in their local paint store, A.C. Wright.  In 1950, he went to work for Weyerhaeuser, retiring in 1982, after 32 years of service. While there, he served as supervisor for the planing mill and shipping shed.

               While in his senior year of high school, Bill met the love of his life, Marcella Koshak.  They later married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Enumclaw on August 9, 1952 and spent 63 wonderful years together until her passing in 2016. Bill was a lover of all sports, both as a fan and a participant. He was a natural athlete who enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, and baseball. He was also an avid superfan of the Seahawks, Huskies, and Mariners, and tried not to miss watching a game. He loved to share stories of the years he ushered for the Husky football games. Bill was a loving and devoted father to their 2 daughters, Traci and Allison, and a proud involved grandpa to his 7 grandchildren. He loved being the biggest cheerleader at all his grandchildren's sports and activities.  His joy was in making sure everyone around him was happy and taken care of. He was famous for his sense of humor and teasing. His deep sense of family was his purpose in life. Bill had an abiding faith and love for Trinity Lutheran Church and its members. He served God in many ways there, most notably as head usher.

               Bill is survived by his daughters, Traci VanWieringen and Allison Smith (Kevin); 5 grandchildren, Cori Finnegan (Derrick), Kellen VanWieringen (Linzie), Kramer VanWieringen, Chelsea Proffitt (Quinn), and Cameron Albright; three great grandchildren, Everley and Marcella VanWieringen and Kaysen Finnegan; brother-in-law Ronald Holt; sister-in-law Arlene Wright; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Marcie; his parents, Art and Alice Wright; his brother, Gene Wright; his sister, Gail Holt; and 2 grandsons, Ryan and Chad Albright.

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