William Claude (Toddy) Wright, aged 90, entered eternal rest on January 13, 2017 in Aurora, Colorado. The oldest of six children, Toddy was born in Wheeler, Texas on March 2, 1926 to Lois Olive and John Henry Wright. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 49 years, Betty Rozella Wright; a daughter, Carla Susan Fabian; a sister, Fern Maxine Fox; two brothers, Auburn Jack Wright of Hachita, NM and William Henry (Huck) Wright of Silver City, NM.
Survivors include one son, William C. Wright, Jr. and his wife Denise Wright of Aurora, CO; one daughter, Roxann Jones of Deming, NM; two brothers, Davie Avon Wright, and Wesley Ronnie Wright and his wife Maryann Wright of Merlin, Oregon. Grandsons are; David Fabian and his wife Yolanda Fabian of Albuquerque, NM, Brian Wright of Aurora, CO and Paul Clayton of Hillsboro, OR. There are three granddaughters; Rochelle Clayton-Cordova of Knoxville, TN, Marsha Wright and Becky Wright of Lubbock, TX. Toddy had 5 great-grandchildren; Caiden Paz, Kailyn Cordova, Travis Fabian, Tori Fabian and Tyler Fabian. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Toddy started helping his father in his well drilling business around the age of 10, until called by Uncle Sam to serve in World War II in July of 1944. Following his stint in the army, Toddy rode the train into Deming, New Mexico and began again to help his father in his well drilling business.
During the years of 1950 through 1955, Toddy also worked as a delivery-driver for Monreposa Dairy at Teague and Morrison (T&M) Dairy and Bowman Bakery.
In 1953, Toddy purchased a 1939 Model L Fort Worth Spudder wooden well rig and in 1955 began drilling wells on his own, full time. The youngest of Toddy’s three children, William C. Wright, Jr. began helping his father at an early age, thus establishing a third generation of well drillers in the family.
Toddy lived by the Golden Rule. He lived to be of service to his family, friends and customers. He didn’t believe in advertising but relied instead on word of mouth, which served him well since his word was his bond. He also didn’t believe that a warranty was worth the paper it was written on unless it was something that would provide years of trouble-free service. He wouldn’t recommend the well drilling business to anyone unless they were really tough, but he said he wouldn’t have done anything differently since he felt like he had accomplished something and had “done a lot of people, a lot of good.”
Like most World War II Veterans, Toddy wouldn’t talk much about his military service but received service awards as well as the bronze star. He served in Japan and on Luzon Island in the Philippines. His generation is known as “The Greatest Generation,” and Toddy was a living testament to that legacy.
Toddy retired after over 50 years of service to his community and his country. However, he still continued to help his family and community and to grow a vegetable garden, trees and beautiful roses. He set a high standard to follow as an example and did it with courage, honesty, humor and humility. He was a well-respected man who will be missed by many.
Funeral services will begin at 11:00 o’clock A.M. with Ed O’Kelly officiating at Terrazas Funeral Chapels, 901 S Pearl Street in Deming, New Mexico on Saturday, January 21, 2017.
Concluding services with an interment will then take place at Mountain View Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels
Survivors include one son, William C. Wright, Jr. and his wife Denise Wright of Aurora, CO; one daughter, Roxann Jones of Deming, NM; two brothers, Davie Avon Wright, and Wesley Ronnie Wright and his wife Maryann Wright of Merlin, Oregon. Grandsons are; David Fabian and his wife Yolanda Fabian of Albuquerque, NM, Brian Wright of Aurora, CO and Paul Clayton of Hillsboro, OR. There are three granddaughters; Rochelle Clayton-Cordova of Knoxville, TN, Marsha Wright and Becky Wright of Lubbock, TX. Toddy had 5 great-grandchildren; Caiden Paz, Kailyn Cordova, Travis Fabian, Tori Fabian and Tyler Fabian. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Toddy started helping his father in his well drilling business around the age of 10, until called by Uncle Sam to serve in World War II in July of 1944. Following his stint in the army, Toddy rode the train into Deming, New Mexico and began again to help his father in his well drilling business.
During the years of 1950 through 1955, Toddy also worked as a delivery-driver for Monreposa Dairy at Teague and Morrison (T&M) Dairy and Bowman Bakery.
In 1953, Toddy purchased a 1939 Model L Fort Worth Spudder wooden well rig and in 1955 began drilling wells on his own, full time. The youngest of Toddy’s three children, William C. Wright, Jr. began helping his father at an early age, thus establishing a third generation of well drillers in the family.
Toddy lived by the Golden Rule. He lived to be of service to his family, friends and customers. He didn’t believe in advertising but relied instead on word of mouth, which served him well since his word was his bond. He also didn’t believe that a warranty was worth the paper it was written on unless it was something that would provide years of trouble-free service. He wouldn’t recommend the well drilling business to anyone unless they were really tough, but he said he wouldn’t have done anything differently since he felt like he had accomplished something and had “done a lot of people, a lot of good.”
Like most World War II Veterans, Toddy wouldn’t talk much about his military service but received service awards as well as the bronze star. He served in Japan and on Luzon Island in the Philippines. His generation is known as “The Greatest Generation,” and Toddy was a living testament to that legacy.
Toddy retired after over 50 years of service to his community and his country. However, he still continued to help his family and community and to grow a vegetable garden, trees and beautiful roses. He set a high standard to follow as an example and did it with courage, honesty, humor and humility. He was a well-respected man who will be missed by many.
Funeral services will begin at 11:00 o’clock A.M. with Ed O’Kelly officiating at Terrazas Funeral Chapels, 901 S Pearl Street in Deming, New Mexico on Saturday, January 21, 2017.
Concluding services with an interment will then take place at Mountain View Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels
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