William (Bill) Wright, age 77 of Oak Ridge, passed away at his home on Saturday, August 31, 2024.

Bill was born on July 20, 1947 in Oak Ridge to Owen and Violet Wright. He proudly served our country in the US Army as a Green Beret with 5th Group Special Forces. During his service, he was a leader of Long Range Reconnaissance and was in the MACV- SOG unit (The Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group) which was a highly classified United States special operations unit that conducted covert operations during the Vietnam War.

Upon being Honorably discharged from the Military, he studied and obtained his Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. He worked as a Metrologist with many plants around the country including, K-25, Y-12, and ORNL. Bill also studied Okinawan Karatedo Union (OKU) martial arts under Grand Master Wheeler and was made 10th degree Grand Master Wheeler in July 2023. He belonged to the Oak Ridge Masonic Lodge and a member of Kern Methodist Church. He loved his great-granddaughter, Sophia Chun and she was the light of his life.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Linda Wright; father, Owen Wright; mother, Violet Wright; brothers, John Wright and James Wright.

Survivors include his daughter, Janet Chun and husband Dan of Sharps Chapel; grandchildren, Jack Chun of Oak Ridge and Jason Hope (Bekah) of Knoxville; great-granddaughter, Sophia Chun of Oak Ridge; special friends, Jim Blankenship, James Slover, and Dick Trevillian.

Visiation will be from 11:00 am-12:30 pm on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Premier Sharp Funeral Home. A Masonic Ceremony and Memorial Service will begin at 12:30 pm with Bro. John Dritt officiating. He will be laid to rest along with his wife, Linda at Anderson Memorial Gardens immediately after the Memorial Service.

Premier Sharp Funeral Home is proud to be serving the Wright family. www.sharpfh.com .