William (Bill) George Wright, age 93, passed away quietly at home on October 15, 2023, in Houston Texas.

He was born to Everett and Edna Wright in Mt Pleasant, Iowa on July 19, 1930. He graduated from Mt Pleasant High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1948.  He was trained as an aircraft gunner initially on B 29's stateside and later on B 26's during the Korean War during which his first mission was on the third day of the war.  He flew 68 missions during that time and was forced to bail out on one mission.  Fortunately, all were rescued without major injuries.  He was discharged from the Air Force as a Staff Seargeant and returned to Iowa.

He attended Iowa Wesleyan College and joined the Army National Guard.  He received a commission after completing Officer training in 1956 and was selected to attend US Army Pilot Training and subsequently Army Helicopter Pilot Training from which he graduated in 1956 .   He was released from active duty and accepted employment with an Atomic Energy Commission contractor in Iowa and later in New Mexico where he transferred to New Mexico Army National Guard as a pilot as well.

He was recalled to active duty in 1967.  Upon recall to active duty, he was a Test Project Officer of the OH-6A in Ft. Knox KY.  In 1968, then Major Wright was sent to the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam as a company commander in an Assault Helicopter Battalion.  Initially located in the Northern part of South Vietnam he supported efforts in the Ashau Valley and surrounding area.  The second half of the tour was further south in the area of Tay Ninh and the Iron Triangle.  He flew many hundreds of missions in Vietnam.  He was injured in the loss of his helicopter.  Other assignments in his career. He served primarily as an aviation officer with increasing responsibilities at locations in Pittsburg PA, Selfridge AFB MI, back to Korea, MacDill AFB FL, Ft Huachuca AZ, Izmir Turkey, many TDY locations and finally Ft Hood TX where he retired as a Colonel after 34 years of service in the US Air Force and US Army.  He was a dual rated US Army Master Aviator pilot with more than 10000 hours of flight time, 1100 of which were served in combat.  He was rated in 8 different fixed wing aircraft and 6 different rotary wing aircraft.

Col Wright was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, USAF Tactical Fighter Weapons School and the NATO School.  Decorations include Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Upon retirement he was a Lions Club member and held various offices and was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church of which he also held several church offices.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Marie Elizabeth and sister Marianna.

He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Janice Beverly Johnson, who followed him everywhere she could and then they traveled much of the world after retirement.  Daughters Beverly (Dale), Susan (Trace deceased) Mary Kay and Gail (David). Grandchildren Jeffrey (Michelle, Zachary, Kyle (Kimmy) and Benjamin.  Great Grandchildren Jaden, Kaitlyn, Madelyn, Logan, Daniel, Nora and George.  Sister Martha (Tom), brothers Walter (Carole), James (Dee), Michael (Lynn, deceased) and John (Anne).  Several nieces and nephews and Egil (EG) Bernhardsen from Bodo Norway, a foreign exchange student hosted by Bill and Jan.

The family will receive friends at Peevey Funeral Home, Monday, October 23, from 6pm until 8pm    the funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 24, at 10am also at Peevey Funeral Home, the service will be  conducted by Pastor Eric Youngdahl. Interment will follow at Houston National Cemetery with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Lions Club International.