Billy Joe "Bj" Wright

On June 7, 2015 BJ passed away at St. David's Hospital with loving family and friends at his side. With failing health conditions occurring over several preceding months he maintained his active lifestyle and continued to share positive inspirational thoughts with all as he did throughout his life.

BJ is survived by his wife Rebecca Wright, her children, Heather Ault, April Ille, Nicholas Mittel, Ashley Lane Ashley, Zachary Lane, Kim Conner, the children's significant others, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. BJ is also survived by his former wife Donna Lionberger Wright and their children Mike Wright, Bill Wright, Gary Wright and Kewal Kaur Khalsa, the children's significant others, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

BJ was born in San Augustine, Texas in 1934, the eldest child of his father Cecil Wright and mother Jewel Wright. BJ was preceded in death by his father, mother and his youngest sister Jeanine Benis. BJ is survived by his sister Jo Ann McKinley, brother Wayne Wright and sister Carolyn Wright, and their families.

As a child BJ grew up in the country with a loving family of modest means. He enjoyed fishing and playing baseball and he was involved in the local 4H program. In school he was a talented writer and athlete and in 1952 he graduated from French High School in Beaumont Texas. Also in 1952 BJ enlisted in the army with six of his high school friends, "the Magnificent Seven". BJ quickly embraced the military lifestyle and forged a successful 30 year career early on completing officer training school and then pursuing a series of challenging assignments with increasing responsibilities. BJ served at many US Posts, completed multiple tours in Germany, and he served in the Korean War (1964) and the Vietnam War (1968). Assignments over his career included Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Special Forces Paratrooper in 101st Airborne Division, Battalion Operations Officer, Defense Intelligence Officer at NATO Headquarters and the Pentagon, and Commander of the 1st (Tiger) Brigade, 2nd Armored Division.

BJ completed military training programs at the US Army Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth, Kansas and the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. BJ earned the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Education, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, and Masters in Business Administration, Shippensburg College, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. BJ's military awards and decorations include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf clusters), Master Parachutists Badge, Korean Presidential Citation, VN (Vietnam) Honor Medal, and numerous other citations and awards. In 1982 BJ retired from the Army as full Colonel.

Following his military retirement BJ settled in Austin Texas and began a new career in sales and developed several water and air treatment businesses. Initially he joined Matt-David of Round Rock, Texas and played a major role in developing the business. In 1989 Matt-David sold to Kinetico Corporation and BJ continued work with them. In 1991 BJ founded All Wright Water Company, which became the largest water treatment company in Central Texas with over 34 employees. Later BJ formed a new business, Envirotech; a company devoted to good health through pure air and water, and at one time managed over 200 people. In more recent years BJ continued his water treatment sales consulting for several companies. Over the years BJ mentored many who continue in the business today. BJ is known throughout Central Texas and beyond as "Colonel BJ Wright, the Water Man".

An avid long distance runner, BJ was a regular at the many and frequent 5K, 10K and marathon races held in central Texas and in other parts of the country, including Arizona, California and New York. BJ kept in shape running almost every day and entering races on a monthly basis. He completed over 100 races and often placed in the top tier for his age division. He invited family and friends to join him in the races, which they often did.

BJ studied the Bible and other spiritual teachings and he enjoyed sharing with family and friends his knowledge and understanding of how to deal with life's challenges in a positive manner and how to become successful. BJ was a good listener and pragmatic thinker who was known to provide thoughtful advice at just the right time. All who knew him heard him say, "Do the next right thing and everything else will fall into place" and "make the best of today" and "start where you are - use what you have - do what you can", and many more words of wisdom.

BJ enjoyed visiting with friends and family. He regularly attended Lamar University baseball games in Beaumont, Texas, regularly visited with family in Texas, and organized and directed the annual Wright Family Christmas Party. He traveled every year to visit with his children and their families in California, Arizona and New York. BJ was loved and will be missed by all his friends and family whom he touched every day.

BJ's Memorial Service will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, July 11, 2015 at the Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel located at 3125 North Lamar, Austin Texas 78705.