William H. "Bill" Wright, age 78 of Malvern, died Wednesday night in the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. He was born on March 23, 1930 in Malvern to the late Henry and Bernice Mason Wright. Reared and educated in Malvern, he was a graduate of Malvern High School. Bill served in the United States Army during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. He was a member of the Rockport Lodge #58, F & AM, and was a Royal Arch Mason. Bill retired after 39 years with Reynolds Metals Company as an electrician in the pot room. He was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church, where he attended the Men's Century Bible Class; hunted with the HP Hunting Club, and coached Little League Baseball when his boys were young.

Bill is survived by his wife, Bobbie Paul Wright, to whom he was married on May 29, 1954 at her home; by his sons, Paul Henry "Hank" Wright and his wife, Tracie; and John David Wright and his wife, Lynn, all of Malvern; by his grandchildren, Seth, Logan, and Jake Wright, and Jake, Tara, and Natalie White; by his brothers-in-law, Dewey Logan, Dean Paul and his wife Lynn, Roger Paul and his wife Andrea; by his sisters-in-law, Shirley Paul and Jeanne Vaughn and her husband Ki; and by 11 nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Logan, and his brother-in-law, Lynn Dale Paul.

His funeral will be at ten o'clock Saturday morning, January 10, 2009 in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church with Reverend J. Stephen Wingo and Bill's nephew Blake Paul officiating. Interment will follow in Shadowlawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Blake and Chip Paul, Seth Wright, Nate Walsh, Ross Vaughn, Jake White, and Blake Wingo.

Honorary pallbearers are: Dr. Larry Brashears, Dr. David Griffin, Kim Jobe, Brook Paul, Wilburn Cox, Brian and Bruce Wingo, and Jimmy Crain.

Special thanks goes to the CVICU and 9th floor nursing staff at Baptist Health Medical Center.

The family will receive friends at J. A. Funk Funeral Home on Friday evening from six until eight o'clock.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to First United Methodist Church, Malvern.

Online condolesnces may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.