WILLIAM WRIGHT

February 14, 1921 - July 25, 2009

TEMPLE -- William W. "Bill" Wright, 88, died peacefully Saturday afternoon, July 25, 2009.        Service: Following services Thursday afternoon at Robertson Mueller Harper, military honors will be held in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. His wife, Sundie, preceded him in death Oct. 5, 2000; her cremated remains will be interred with him.        Memorials: Consideration of contributions to the National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Museum, 340 E. Main St., Fredericksburg, Texas 78624; Emmaus Catholic Church, 1718 Lohmans Crossing Road, Austin, Texas 78734; or a charity of one's choice, is suggested.        Born on Valentine's Day 1921 in Haigler, Neb., the son of rancher Jesse H. Wright and his wife, Irlene Slaughter Wright, William Wesley Wright attended the University of Missouri, where he met the love of his life, Frances Ann "Sundie" Sunderland. Mr. Wright entered Navy flight training in June 1941 and married Sundie on March 6, 1942.        Mr. Wright served as a squadron leader and flew TBF Avenger planes in several pivotal battles in the Pacific theater, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the second Battle of the Philippine Sea. For his efforts, he earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and six air medals. He served with distinction as a U.S. Navy torpedo bomber pilot in World War II and later turned his passion for flying and knowledge of animal husbandry into a company that pioneered the transportation of livestock by air to destinations around the world. Through it all, Mr. Wright remained well-grounded in what he considered most important -- his family.        After the war, Mr. Wright returned to the University of Missouri and earned a degree in animal husbandry in 1946. He worked from 1946 to 1959 for the American Hereford Association. The job brought him to Fort Worth, where he and Sundie raised their four sons.        An idealist, entrepreneur and pilot, Bill often seemed to have his head in the clouds. From 1959 until his retirement in 1991, he was a self-employed businessman. In 1968, he founded Livestock World Airlift, which flew 12,000 head of cattle from airports in Texas to Chile. The firm gradually expanded its operations, flying livestock to and from destinations in South America, Europe and Asia. Bill also represented clients, including the U.S. government, in overseas agricultural ventures in countries such as Iran, Australia and Yugoslavia.        Mr. Wright enjoyed playing golf and watching John Wayne movies, and was a member of Ridglea Country Club. He retired to Lakeway in Central Texas, where he and Sundie never tired of the view from the back patio of golfers teeing off during the day and deer grazing in the evening.        Survivors: His sons, Terry Wright and wife, Marsha, Bill Wright and wife, Paula, James Wright and wife, Shari, and Jack Wright and wife, Patty; grandchildren, Michael Wright, Todd Wright, Scott Wright and wife, Sara Bruso Wright, Sundie Wright Ellis and husband, Gregory Ellis, Shelly Wright Brimer and husband, Barry Brimer, Robert Wright, Mark Wright, Rachel Wright Shortt and husband, David Shortt, and J.T. Wright; and great-grandchildren, Jessica Sara Wright, Kaitlyn Nichole Wright, Zachary Scott Wright, Nicholas Scott Wright, Loralyn Rose Brimer, and Charlotte Sunderland Shortt. Robertson Mueller Harper Funerals & Cremations 1500 Eighth Ave., 817-924-4233