William Duncan Wright

Bill was born in Sturgis, Mississippi. He was the only son of Rev. William Miles Wright and Mary Florra Duncan Wright. He grew up in several Mississippi towns, including Brooksville, and Columbus. Bill received his B.A. from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi and his Master of Social Work from Vanderbilt University in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army in 1951-1952.

In 1953, Bill married Jo Ann Bratton in her hometown of Greenville, Ms. They celebrated 70 years of marriage in 2023

Bill's professional career over 40 years included Human Services programs at the local, state and regional levels. The positions included child welfare, mental health, alcohol, drug, and general health programs. At the state level in Birmingham Ala., he helped to start the first public mental health program in the state of Alabama. At the time of retirement, he served as Director of Health Services Region IV, U.S. Public Health Service, located in Atlanta, Ga.

Bill was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and held leadership positions in in each of the churches that he attended in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina.

In retirement, he continued to be active in church and civic affairs.

Much of his time in retirement was spent traveling to all parts of the world with Jo Ann and enjoying his children and grandchildren. Survivors are: wife, JoAnn, son, David Bratton Wright (wife, Linda), daughter, Elizabeth Wright Burroughs (husband, Paul), Grandchildren, Taylor Wesley Cheek, Brett Timothy Cheek (wife, Christina), Thomas Perez, Karen Wright, Caleb Wright and great - grandchildren Elijah Cheek and Charis Cheek.

Bill will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Oak Grove United Methodist Church on 1722 Oak Grove Rd, Decatur, GA 30033. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Oak Grove United Methodist Church.