William Franklin Wright

William Franklin Wright, 74, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on August 16, 2024. Born in Collierville, Tennessee, on October 16, 1949, he was a revered member of the community and a cherished figure in his family. William's life was marked by his unwavering sense of duty, both in his personal life and during his illustrious 25-year career in the US Navy. Starting as an enlisted man, he was one of the first to complete the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) program, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. His career as an Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance/Material Control Officer took him to various duty stations, including New Jersey, Tennessee, Crete, Sicily, Norfolk, Virginia, Iceland, and finally Jacksonville, Florida. Upon retiring from the Navy, he continued his service-driven career at DynaCorp in Kuwait.

William was a man of deep faith and an active member of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Jacksonville, Florida. His life was a testament to his values of honesty, fairness, and love, which he expressed through his endless commitment to his family and friends. He was known for his heart of gold, always ensuring he made those around him feel special and valued. William's hobbies included football, golf, dancing, carpentry, fixing things, great food, playing pool and traveling, but his greatest joy was derived from making his wife happy and spending time with his family.

He was loved by so many. When his friends were asked to describe William, they said he was happy, generous, selfless. it was impossible to be around him and not smile because he always had plenty of smiles to give. It was also said he was one of the last gentlemen as he could often be seen holding the door, helping carry things, was extremely polite and went out of his way not to hurt anyone's feelings. He had more than enough love and caring to give to all those that left even the smallest footprint in his life.

He leaves behind a loving family: his daughter Ruth Katherine Geiger, son Christopher Otis Wright, grandchildren Mason Evangelos Geiger and Riley Evangelia Wright, brother Thomas Wright, sister Joyce LaCroix, and nephews Joel Wright and William, Mark, and Keith LaCroix. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Evangelia Wright, his parents Ruth Bernon Wright and Cribbs Otis Wright, and his nephew Scotty LaCroix.

A service to celebrate William's life will be held at 11:30 am on August 26, 2024, at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Jacksonville, Florida. This will be followed by a committal at 2 pm at the Jacksonville National Cemetery where he will be recognized with full military honors. Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Jacksonville, Florida, is assisting the family during this time. William's legacy of kindness, integrity, and service will forever be cherished and remembered by all who knew him.