William "Bill" Howard Wright Obituary
William ‘Bill’ Howard Wright, 86, also known as Grampy to his grandkids and Birdhouse Bill to his community, passed away peacefully at his home on May 6, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Born on July 9, 1939, to Robert and Gladys Wright in El Centro, California, Bill spent his life in service to others. First as a member of the Army National Guard, where he trained as a Sargent, and then a police officer for Yuba City, California for 15 years.
Bill met his wife Jerri Sue at work. She was a dispatcher and he was a police officer. They were married for 57 years and have two wonderful daughters, Cynthia Taylor and Christine Troyer.
After retiring, Bill trained as a locksmith and worked maintenance for Graceland University in Iowa, allowing his daughters to attend college free of charge.
Outside of work, Bill was an avid collector of tools. He was often found tinkering and building any chance he could. In his later years, building bird houses became one of his favorite pastimes, many of which he gave to family and friends.
Bill was a lover of animals and in particular dogs. His first dog, Queenie, found him when she jumped into his lap at a stoplight, thus starting a lifelong bond with man’s best friend. Recently, Bill was rarely found without Dan the Chihuahua, his daughter’s dog, close by.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jerri, and is survived by his two daughters, Cindy and Christine, as well as his son-in-law Travis Troyer and grandkids, Sydney & Nathaniel Jones, and Jack & Jordan Troyer.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, June 1st from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Versailles Middle School to help students pay outstanding lunch balances or the pet rescue of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.
