William "Boyd" Wright

Nov. 20, 1934 - Oct. 3, 2010
MISHAWAKA - William "Boyd" Wright, 75, residing in Mishawaka, IN, passed away at 6:20 p.m. Sunday, October 3, 2010, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. Boyd was born November 20, 1934, in Ramseur, NC, the son of Andrew and Locie (Hicks) Wright. He retired in 2005 from Dexter Axle, Elkhart, after 25 years, and from Sears after 11 years. He resided in Elkhart from 1968 until 2002 when he moved to Mishawaka. On July 19, 2003, in Osceola, IN, Boyd married the former Nona Ward, who survives. In addition to his wife, Nona, he is survived by one daughter, Carol (Bob) Wallace of Elkhart; one son, Kenneth (Lisa) Wright of Elkhart; one stepdaughter, Jennifer Henry of Elkhart; one stepson, Bill Stouder of IN; five grandchildren, Nick Swindle of IN, Shannon Swindle, Amanda (Derek) Davis, Jason and Mary Wright, all of Elkhart; five great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Isaiah, Tyler, Lydia and Kaden; six stepgrandchildren, Brittany Roemer of Mishawaka, Seymone Pelichoff, McKinzey Reid and Dustin Reid, all of IL, Lisa Stiffal of IN and Tina Scott of South Bend; three step-great-grandchildren, Dyllin, Makayla and Fiona; as well as one brother, Lloyd Wright of Siler City, NC. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Debbie Swindle in 2003. Boyd served honorably in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of American Legion Post #308 of Osceola, was a life member of DAV Chapter #19 of Elkhart, and founder of the POW/MIA Remembrance Ride. He enjoyed NASCAR and watching the Chicago Cubs, as well as hunting and fishing when he was younger. Funeral services for William "Boyd" Wright will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 7, 2010, in the Palmer Funeral Home - River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, with Chuck Wotring, Associate Minister of Northway Church of Christ. officiating. Graveside services with full military honors and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit with the Wright family from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. today, October 6, 2010, in the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Mr. Wright may be made to the St. Joseph County Humane Society, 2506 Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545; or to the Military Honor Park at the South Bend Regional Airport, 4300 Veterans Drive, South Bend, IN 46628. Online condolences to the Wright family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.