William B. Wright ’47

With Bill's merciful release from Alzheimer's April 28, 2004, we lost a classmate remembered and loved for his inner-directed, constant, magnetic smile, warmth, gentleness, and happiness.

Bill fought with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy and formed lasting bonds with his comrade veterans of that harsh campaign. He returned to postwar Princeton and married Polly in 1949 as he began his senior year. An international business career (in insurance) led to enriching sojourns, over a 10-year span, in Havana, Seoul, Hong Kong, Caracas – and to an enduring love of travel.

In 1963 the family returned to Rutland, Vt. Bill succeeded his father as president of the Marble Savings Bank and presided over a three-fold growth in its assets. As an indigenous "Green Mountain Boy," he indulged his passion for skiing almost to his death.

A list of Bill's outside interests, attachments to diverse groups, and especially his pro bono services (including those to our class) would consume pages. So would a list of those who came to love him, for he truly enjoyed meeting and learning from people of all backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles, and was never heard to speak ill of anyone. Even when gripped by Alzheimer's, he radiated warmth to those he no longer remembered.

We tender this brief testament to Polly with admiration and love, and to all the family with affection.

The Class of 1947