William Harrison Wright's Obituary
William Wright, 84, of San Diego, CA, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 8, 2013. Bill was a kind and generous husband, father and grandfather, affectionately know by his grandchildren as PopPop. To his friends and to the Hawaiian community, he gave of himself freely and unselfishly.Bill was born and raised in Kekaha, Kaua’i, and graduated from the Kamehameha School for Boys in 1946. At the ripe old age of 52, Bill enrolled as a freshman at San Diego Miramar College and received his Associates Degree in Business Administration in June 1983. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Bill volunteered for active service in February 1951 spending his entire tour of duty at Fort Ord, CA. In June 1983 with many years’ experience as a Technical Writer at Westinghouse Aerospace Division, Bill was hired by General Dynamics Corporation Publications Department to work on the Cruise Missile project. A year later Rockwell International offered him a position as Group Leader, Publications Division, working on the B-1B Bomber program.Bill has two daughters, Beverly Kapualehuanani (Kappy), and Kathleen Pualani (Lani). Kappy, has one daughter, Kemelia and one granddaughter Alexis. Lani has two daughters, Lindsay and Kate.Bill has been married to Gail since May 1974 and has two stepdaughters, Shelley Lynn Temple and Angelica Renee Fletcher. Grandchildren include Shannon, Emily, Rebekah, Malorie and Chelsea along with two great-grandchildren. A resident of San Diego since 1979, Bill became active in the Hui O Hawaii of San Diego (Hui) where he served two terms as President, most recently as Chaplin and longtime choir member. He was also involved with the Hawaiian Interclub Council of Southern California (HICCSC) and the Ahahui Kiwila Hawai’i O San Diego Hawaiian Civic Club (AKHSD) with dual membership in the Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club having served as a First Vice President and Recording Secretary. Bill was a long-time musician and supporter of the Halau o Pualani.Bill is a life member of the Glen Burnie Lodge 213 of the Masons and is a life member of the Las Vegas Elks.A celebration of Bill’s life will be held Saturday, March 9, 2013, 1pm at the Hui O Hawai’i Hall, 752 Grand Avenue, Spring Valley, CA 91977. Memorials may be made to the Hui or the AKHSD at PO Box 21269, El Cajon, CA 92021.Please sign the guest book at www.clairemontmortuary.com
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