Billy Hoyt Wright Sr.

On Thursday November 26, 2009 Billy Hoyt Wright Sr. passed away. He was 65 years old. He passed away peacefully at the home of his caregivers and family at heart, Jimmy and Sandra Caldwell and Alison Simpson. He passed from a long term illness. Billy Sr. was born January 28, 1944. He was the son of the late Hoyt and Nannie Wright of Cleveland. Billy Sr. was a lifelong resident of Cleveland Tennessee. He was a 1963 graduate of Bradley Central High School where he played baseball and met his only wife of 40 years, Mary Helen Harrison Wright. He also attended Middle Tennessee State University and shortly there after served his country in the National Guard. He was a lifelong Democrat and was Chairman of Bradley County?s Democratic Party in the 1970?s and campaigned for Bob Clement for Governor at that time. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and the American Legion of Cleveland. He was a former member of the Cleveland Country Club and Rolling Hills Country Club which he enjoyed membership with for years. He was self employed for over 17 years which was a dream that came to fruition when he purchased The Racetrack Market on South Lee Highway in 1988 which he renamed to Wright?s Racetrack Market shortly there after. He was the proprietor of the market until 2005. Billy Sr. was an avid fisherman and hunter. Fishing for trout in Tellico gave him great peace and made him feel closer to God. He also loved University of Tennessee Volunteer Football. Survivors include his former wife of 40 years and dear friend, Mary Helen Harrison Wright of Cleveland, one loving daughter and son-in-law, Kristi Wright Kitamura and Derek Kitamura of Playa Del Rey California, one loving son and daughter-in-law, Billy H. Wright Jr. and Jessica Harrell Wright of Nashville, brothers and sister-in-laws, Ronald (Ronnie) and Phyllis Wright, Douglas (Doug) & Donna Wright, Dean and Lisa Wright and Roger and Mary Wright, all of Cleveland. He also leaves his sisters and brother-in-laws, Carol and Darrell Walker of Riceville and Brenda and Pat Lee of Cleveland. He had 15 nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by several aunts and cousins. Billy leaves several close friends that were family in his heart, Jimmy and Sandra Caldwell, Alison Simpson and Ron Parker, all of Cleveland. A private memorial service will be held at a future date. The family requests that memorials be made to Hospice of Chattanooga Foundation, P.O. Box 19269, Chattanooga, TN 37416 in Billy Sr.?s name. Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Wright family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.