Billy "Bill" Eugene Wright, 78, of Wauchula, died Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at his home. He was born in Caraway, Arkansas on February 20, 1936 and had been a Hardee County resident for more than 50 years, moving to this area from Michigan. He was a lifetime citrus industry worker.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Seabe and Freda Wright; three brothers, Kenneth "Red" Wright, Seabe Wright, Jr., and Jack Wright; two sisters, Aimee Frances Fowler and Dorothy Plumley, and one son, Mike Wright.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Valley Wright; one son, Mark Wright and wife Nancy of Plant City; two grandchildren, Mark Wright, Jr. and wife Becky of Auburndale, and Travis Wright of Lakeland; two great-grandchildren, Grace and Hope Wright of Auburndale; nephews, Robert Wright and wife Michelle, Lonnie Wright and wife Lisa, and Allen Fowler, all of Wauchula; Howard and wife Rose of Greenville, Missouri, and Danny Wright of Holland, Missouri; niece, Patricia Hernandez of Arcadia; great-nephews, Robert Jr., Mitchell, Lonnie Jr. "L J" Wright, of Wauchula, Allen Michael and Billy Joe Fowler of Bowling Green, and Eric Wright of Jonesboro, Arkansas; great-nieces, Gayla Daniel of Cooter, Missouri and Lina Miller of Wauchula; great-great-niece Jocie Lynn Wright; and great-great-nephews, Allen Michael Jr. of Bowling Green and Justin Daniel of Cooter, Missouri; brother and sisters-in-law, Harry and Shirley Johnson, Danny and Virginia Standish, all of Battle Creek, Michigan; and numerous other nieces and nephews of Michigan and Ohio.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at Roberts Garden Chapel from 12-2 p.m., with funeral services at 2 p.m. Rev. Steve McGaughey of Fort Green Baptist Church will officiate. Interment is in Wauchula Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family.