Obituary – William H. Wright – Former Franklin Twp Police Chief

William Howard “Bill” Wright, son of Walter and Cornelia Brown Wright, was born January 28, 1957 in Woodbury, New Jersey. He departed this life Saturday, December 17, 2016 in Lake Regional Hospital, Osage Beach, Missouri, at the age of fifty-nine years, ten months, and nineteen days.
On January 27, 2007, Bill was united in marriage to Laura Webster, and together they have shared nine years.
His parents; and two brothers, Leonard and Walter Wright, preceded Bill in death.
Bill is survived by his wife, Laura; his daughters, Brittany Wright and husband Dustin Sharkey, of Vineland, New Jersey, and Emily Wright and her significant other, Sean Riley, of Williamstown, New Jersey; two sisters, Virginia North of Hammonton, New Jersey, and Lynne Magee and husband Richard, of Grovetown, Georgia; a number of nieces, nephews, as well as a host of other relatives and many dear friends.
Bill was a graduate of Deptford High School. In 1977, Bill started his Law Enforcement career at Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office. While working full time, he received his bachelor’s degree from Rowan University. He went to work as a Patrolman in the Franklin Township Police Department in 1979 and worked his way up thru the ranks to Chief of Police in 1997. He held that position until his retirement in 2004. He served in the New Jersey Army National Guard 1982 to 1996 as first lieutenant. He was a member of Malaga Fire Company and served on the dive team.
While working at Franklin Township, Bill received his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Fairleigh Dickinson University. In 2005, Bill became a Professor of Criminal Justice at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching and sharing his life experiences with students for eleven years before retiring in 2016.
Bill accepted Christ as his Savior and was a member of Blessed Hope Community Church in Westville Grove, New Jersey. He attended Rock House Church in Linn Creek, Missouri when able.
Bill dedicated his life to serving others and always strived to better himself. He attended the West Point Command and Leadership School, and FBI National Academy Class 212, graduating in 2003. He was a member of Pitman Masonic Lodge #197 in Pitman, New Jersey, the Policeman Benevolent Association, Missouri Police Chief’s Association, IACP, and FBI National Academy Associates. He was also involved in the D.A.R.E. program throughout the years.
Bill loved spending time with his daughters and coached his daughter’s soccer team. He was an adrenaline junkie and had gone skydiving, white water rafting and bull riding. In his spare time, he enjoyed camping, four-wheeling and fishing.
Bill was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and many accomplishments and will treasure the many wonderful memories he has created for his family and friends.
Memorial services will be held 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m., until time of service.
Memorial donations may be made to Concerns of Police Survivors and left at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri.