Walter Lewis Wright

Walter Lewis Wright

Walter Lewis Wright, 84, of Charlottesville, Virginia, departed this life on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, after a period of declining health.

He was born on April 3, 1925, in Raleigh, West Virginia, the son of the late Nathan and Cleola Mitchell Wright.

He was also preceded in death by his wife, Helen Johnson Wright; two sisters, Leola Wright and Laura Fleshman; and one great-grandson, Kayleb Wright.

After high school, Walter entered the United States Army. During World War II he was stationed in France where he delivered fuel and munitions to the front line. On January 21, 1946, he was honorably discharged. As a proud veteran, he returned to his home state and worked in the coal mines before relocating to Virginia with his family in 1953. Once in Virginia, he was employed as an orderly by the University of Virginia Medical Center. Shortly thereafter, he began working at Sperry Marine Corp. where he worked for over 20 years before failing health lead to his retirement.

He is survived by sons, Walter Lewis Wright Jr., Jerry D. Wright and his wife, Roseanne, of Danville, Virginia; and daughter, Joetta Wright and her husband, James; brothers, William and Nathaniel Wright, all of Dyke, VA, Wilbur Wrght of Earlysville; a sister, Emma Pryor of Charlottesville; four grandchildren, Jerry D. Wright II of Shannon, Massachusetts, LaVar Wright of San Diego, California, Michelle Wright of Springfield, Virginia, and James Wright Jr. of Dyke; two great-grandchildren, Christopher and Kayla Wright of Las Vegas, Nevada; a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Walter loved his family and expressed with pride his happiness for their accomplishments in life. We will remember how he taught us to make kites from newspaper and twigs, build a sled, a rabbit trap and make a sling shot from materials found in nature. Others will remember his jovial nature and love of deep sea fishing. He will be missed.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, January 10, 2010, at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Dyke, Virginia, with the Reverend James Washington officiating. Interment will follow at the Wright family cemetery.

The family expresses thanks to Dr. McConnell, Dr. Davis and staff at Martha Jefferson, University of Virginia Medical Center and Charlottesville Health and Rehabilitation who cared for our loved one. A special thanks to Sylvia and Mr. Martin and Shirley Strothers for their extra attention.

J. F. Bell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.jfbellfuneralhome.com


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.