William M. Wright

WILLIAM MASON WRIGHT, son of the late Frank and Wilhelmina Wright was born on July 29, 1933 in Baltimore, Maryland. He transitioned on Monday, December 8th to be with the Lord and Saviour. He received his education at the then segregated Carver High school in Baltimore. Throughout the years he spoke affectionately about his teachers at Carver and the education that he received there. William loved God and began his Christian journey at The Orchard Street Methodist Church. In his later years he joined The New Psalmist Baptist Church where he worshiped faithfully for over 30 years. While at New Psalmist he was one of the initial facilitators of the church's Marriage Ministry. At the tender age of 12, he wet the enduring love of his life, Elaine. They grew up in the same neighborhood as he lived on Orchard Street and she on Biddle Street. This budding love blossomed into an everlasting love that culminated in their marriage at the historic Orchard Street Methodist Church. Blessedly, their marriage prospered for an amazing 58 years. It was a union that was bonded by God, love and friendship and produced 4 children: Gail, Darryl, Jeffrey and Yvette. William and Elaine were truly friends, best friends. Even though their marriage lasted for more than 6 decades, as a testament to their love, they talked and laughed daily with one another as though they had just recently met. In 1951 he joined the Air Force. During his stint, he traveled broadly throughout the United States along with a tour of Japan. Later he was employed the United States Postal Service. While there, because of his expeditious work habits, his friends, of whom there were many, fondly referred to him as Zip. After over 30 years of service, he retired from the Post Office in 1988, affording him 28 years of leisurely retirement. During his retirement he embarked tirelessly on his enthusiasm and interest for: World War II, history, math, sociology and the formidable slide rule. He was indeed a renaissance man. William was endeared by good music, often listening to jazz greats, such as Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith. Though he enjoyed these two musicians, Sammy Davis, Jr. was his favorite. He considered Sammy to be the greatest entertainer of his generation. Pop Pop dearly loved his grandchildren. Though his life was full of activities, he spent timeless hours loving, nurturing and guiding his children. The relationship and mutual love they shared was truly special. William was a true, dedicated and compassionate friend and family man. His love illuminated brightly and stands in remembrance of his legacy as a child of God. He will be forever loved and missed by all. He leaves cherished memories with: his loving wife, Elaine C. Wright; four children, Gail D. Carter (John), Darryl G. Wright (Lydia), Jeffrey B. Wright (Maria), Yvette A. Buchanan (Jerome); one brother, Henry C. Wright; two sisters that preceded him in death, Virginia Wright and Joan Rustin; two sisters-in-law, Vivian Wright and Dorothy Howard; one brother-in-law, Earl Cook; three grandchildren, Imani and Isis Wright, Malachi Buchanan; two step-grandchildren, Michael Morrisey and Brandon Carter and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

William M. Wright

April 29, 1933 - December 8, 2014