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William Everett Wright

1937 - 2022

William Everett Wright obituary, 1937-2022, Adkins, TX

William Wright Obituary

Colonel William Everett Wright, USMC, passed away at his home in Adkins, Texas, Friday April First 2022 after a multi-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's disease. Born at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 10th 1937 Billy was the second son of Malcom Baird Wright and Helen Wilcombe Wright of Hammond, LA.

Recognized early for his intellect he was skipped directly to third grade and enrolled in the prestigious "Lab School" operated by the Southeastern Louisiana University. His love of football eventually took him to Hammond High School where he was the team manager as a 13 year-old freshman and eventually shared the starting QB responsibilities his Junior and Senior years. Billy played two more years of college football at Washington and Lee in Virginia before returning to Louisiana and Louisiana State University to marry his childhood sweetheart, Wilma Josephine Core.

He graduated LSU with a BS in General Engineering and spent the next 28 years, 10 months and 23 days in the US Marine Corps. In 1965 Captain Wright served six months with the Viet Dung Quan (Vietnamese Army Rangers) and in 1967 - 1968 as a Major and the Operations Officer for 2nd Battalion Ninth Marines designing and directing the execution of many combat operations including the defense and eventual evacuation of Khe Sahn and the bloody battle of Hill 881N where, after the medical evacuation of the battalion commander, Bill Duncan, he is credited with saving many Marine's lives directing by their movement under fire, while injured from shell fragments repelling and effectively destroying a North Vietnamese Regiment. The Second Battalion, Ninth Marine Regiment (2/9) was unofficially named the "Ghost Battalion" when radio communication from the North Vietnamese commanders complained they could not locate them and then they would suddenly appear and disappear inflicting grievous damage - appearing to be ghosts.

The Colonel made a second career of racing thoroughbred horses after moving to San Antonio in 1989. He made many trips to the winners circle at Retama, Lone Star, and Sam Houston and Wilma continues to run winning horses in Tulsa, Dallas, and Houston. Known for his sense of humor and wit he was innately happy and truly enjoyed telling stories of his childhood, football, his daughters, and his horses.

Colonel Wright is survived by his wife Wilma, three daughters, Robbin Clark, Wendy Hammond, and Lolly Carpenter and their families including eight grand-children and five great-grand-children. We will always remember Billy Wright for his warm heart, friendly smile, openness, and utter lack of pretense. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to the Lewy Body Dementia Association and/or the The Parkinson's Foundation. A graveside ceremony is being planned in Hammond, Louisiana for mid May 2022 with Reverend Barry Chance of the First Presbyterian Church of Hammond presiding. A track-side service is being planned in San Antonio, Texas at Retama Park with Chaplain Michael Bingaman presiding. God Bless Colonel Wright. Semper Fidelis.


Published by Express-News on Apr. 10, 2022.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Wright

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Just this week I met with a fellow wanting to do stories on experience's of veterans during VN. I retold the story of "The Ghost Bn" and my friend Will Wright.

Clyde Woods

April 4, 2023

Wilma, Robin, Wendy and Lolly - My deepest sympathy for you and everyone that served with or knew Willie. I am heartbroken as he was truly a brother and a leader of Marines. God bless you and your family. Semper Fidelis
Woody

Clyde "Woody" Woods

May 9, 2022

One vivid memory from Hill 881 is Major Wright moving from crater to crater in the midst of incoming, asking if everyone was 0k. He always seemed to have a smile and was an inspiration to his Marines.

Norm Sorensen

April 18, 2022

Sorry for your loss God Bless all.Ben and "Aunt Irene" family.

Daunice Parker

Family

April 17, 2022

I served with him 1968-69. I was a radioman on hill 881. I remember than Major Wright. I was assigned to him after Colonel Duncan was wounded. He was carrying and areal gentleman. I will always remember him. God bless

David McCain

Other

April 16, 2022

thank the Colonel for his brave service when I served under him on 881

Forner Captain Wayne Haaland, USMC, thank the Colonel for his brave service

April 15, 2022

As Echo 6 Actual, 2/1, then Major Willie Wright was always a guy who left you in a better mood. Capable, non-assuming and a man who cared deeply for fellow Marines he was a tremendous asset. He´ll be telling stories and cheering up the Spirits around him.

Tom Eagen

Work

April 14, 2022

Fair winds and following sea's. You will forever be a Marine, respected and loved by many.

Chuck Fleissner Sgt. of Marines "Ghost" 1966/1967

April 14, 2022

Willie you will always be remembered by all you served with. You were a great Marine and made many life long friends. Semper Fi Marine and Rest in Peace!

Vin Burdziuk

April 14, 2022

Love you Willie. SemperFi

Sam and Pat adams

April 10, 2022

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