William Wright Obituary

WRIGHT-Dr. William (Bill) Wright, 75, a long-time resident of Pasadena, passed away suddenly on February 13, 2008. "Dr. Bill" was born in New Albany, Indiana on September 21, 1932 to his parents, Robert and Lucille Wright. He attended Duke University where he was a member of the Delta Phi Alpha, the German Language Honorary Society and the Sigma Nu Fraternity. After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry in 1954 from Duke Univer sity, he attended the University of Louisville School of Medicine and obtained his Doctorate in 1958. He completed his internship at the Los Angeles County Hospital in July of 1959 followed by two years in the United States Air Force where he served as a General Medical Officer with the rank of Captain on the island of Iwo Jima. Dr. Wright served as the Public Health Officer for the State of Kentucky from 1961 to 1963 before completing his neurosurgical residency at the Los Angeles County General Hospital i n 1967. Dr. Wright began his 40+ years in neurosurgery practice in 1967 with his primary practice in Arcadia. He served as a Trauma Neurosurgeon at Huntington Memorial Hospital from 1989 to 2005. He was appointed to the medical staffs of various San Gabriel Valley Hospitals including the Alhambra Community Hospital, Beverly Hospital, City of Hope National Medical Center, Community Hospital of San Gabriel, Foothill Presbyterian Hospital, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Huntington Memorial Hospital, Int ercommunity Hospital, Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center, Methodist Hospital of Southern California, Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, Saint Luke Hospital, San Gabriel Valley Medical Center, Santa Teresita Hospital, and Verdugo Hills Hospital. He served as the Chairman of the Surgical Review Committee for the Methodist Hospital of Southern California and Santa Teresita Hospital, and was the Chairman of the Surgery Committee at Santa Teresita Hospital. In addition, he ser ved as Chief of Staff, Chief of Surgery and Chief of Neurosurgery at Methodist Hospital of Southern California. Dr. Wright served as President of the Southern California Neurosurgical Society from 1977-1978 and President of the California Association of Neurosurgical Surgeons from 1982-1983 as well as Secretary and Treasurer in 1974-1976. He was a member of the Western Neurosurgical Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the Congre ss of Neurological Surgeons. He was a Clinical Professor of Neurological Surgery for the USC School of Medicine and on the teaching staff for the General Surgery Residency Program at Huntington Memorial Hospital. Dr. Wright had been a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, board member of the USS Pasadena Foundation and served as a member of the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team for the Altadena Sheriff's Station and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Medical Company Reserve Forces Bureau wher e he was ranked as Sergeant. "Dr. Bill" and his wife Libby enjoyed traveling and playing golf together. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Lucille Wright and his sister, Bobbie Lou Bird. He is survived by his beloved wife Elizabeth; his children; Valerie Wright Schwendenman (Jim), Karen Wright, Lisa Wright Grabow (Dallas), and William Gregory Wright; his five grandchildren: Brandon and William Brady Schwendenman, Shawteal Wright, Chad William Grabow and Bailey Wright; his step-children Kath ryn Damron and David Evans and four step-grandchildren. Dr. Bill will be missed by his many colleagues, patients, friends and those who loved him dearly. His humor, love of life, and caring for others will be remembered forever. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 22 at 3:00 p.m. at the Annandale Golf Club, One North San Rafael Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of William H. Wright, M.D. to the University of Louisville Foundation would be appreciated. The address is ULF at Keeney House 132 E. Gray Street, Louisville, KY 40202.