William Kenneth Wright Jr.

William "Bill" Wright Jr., age 88 of Adel, passed away on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at the Dallas County Hospital in Perry, IA. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Minburn United Methodist Church in Minburn. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Carris Family Funeral Home & Cremation Care in Perry. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery at Minburn, IA. Everyone is encouraged to wear face coverings and practice social distancing while attending visitation and services. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to the Minburn United Methodist Church or Washington Township School and may be left at the Carris Family Funeral Home & Cremation Care. William (Bill) K. Wright went to meet his maker a nd loved ones on Sept. 22, 2021. He is survived by his son Richard and wife Mary and their 4 children, Jenifair, Beau, Michelle, and Matt; his son William E. Wright and wife Mhel and their 2 children, Kenneth and JR; and his daughter-in-law Karen Wright, wife of Howard, Bills third son, now deceased. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Dorothy, son Howard, his sister Betty, and most of his contemporaries. He was born at home near Mount Ayr, Iowa, on Jan. 14, 1933, son of William K. and Doris May Wright. Eventually they moved to rural Dallas County near the little town of Minburn when he was in eighth grade. He soon introduced himself to the neighbor girl who lived not a quarter mile away . . . his future wife Dorothy West. Upon graduation he joined the Air Force, but just as he was entering regular service, his father had a massive heart attack, and being the only son of a farmer he was sent home to farm. Dorothy had migrated to Mesa, Arizona to care for her mother, and Bill hurried down to ask her to marry him. They were married Jan. 11, 1953 in Mesa. They returned to Iowa and immediately started a family. A little less than 2 years later, his father recovered and was farming again, and so, with one child just shy of a year and another on the way, Bill was drafted. During his time in the service he was stationed in Germany and traveled extensively through Europe when he had leave. After the Army he returned to his family and farming. An avid reader, Bill was well-versed in many subjects. His father was a pilot, and he had a lifelong love of aircraft. He attended the Oshkosh air show many times through the decades with his son Bill, another avid flyer. His interests spanned history, art, music, and all things mechanical. He was a professional-grade model builder and had a huge collection of model aircraft, books, and albums. He was also an enthusiastic photographer and traveler, all interests which he shared with his children. Richard went into art, and William became a pilot and eventually started building aircraft in the Philippines. Howard was a born farmer and was instrumental in growing the farm till his untimely passing 20 years ago. Bill was also very involved in the community. A member of the United Methodist Church in Minburn, he also served on multiple boards and was active in local groups interested in improving and maintaining his community. He was active with the American Legion and helped putting up the flags at Elmwood Cemetery every Memorial Day. A man of many talents, Bill shared those freely. His childrens lives were enriched by knowledge and love and tolerance. When he passed it was as if a library had burned down. Truly a soul of rare merit, he will be sorely missed. Funeral Service Wednesday, September 29, 2021 10:00 AM Minburn United Methodist Church 705 Chestnut St. Minburn, Iowa 50167 Visitation Tuesday, September 28, 2021 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM Carris Family Funeral Home & Cremation Care 1721 Park St Perry, Iowa 50220