William Alan Wright
October 20, 1954 ~ January 14, 2023
Born in:
Nashville, Tennessee
Resided in:
Bluffton, South Carolina
William Alan Wright, 68, of Bluffton,SC peacefully passed away on Saturday, January 14 surrounded by loved ones.
Alan was born on October 20, 1954 and grew up in Nashville, TN. After attending Maplewood high school, he received a degree in political science and history at the University of Tennessee Martin where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
He started his career at UPS in 1976 while still in college and continued with the company until his retirement in 2010. During his career, he elevated to regional operations manager, lived in over a dozen locations, led operations as far West as California, as far South as New Orleans and as far North as Wisconsin, andtaught the Leadership Academy for UPS at Emory University.
He met the love of his life, Leigh Ann Ferrill in 1981 and they were married in 1983. Alan and Leigh Ann celebrated 40 wonderful years of marriage on January 8th and throughout those 40 years, and during his three-year battle with Multiple Myeloma, Leigh Ann was his biggest supporter and always his rock.
After retirement, Alan and Leigh Ann moved to Palmetto Bluff in the Low Country where he was able to enjoy his love of golf, fishing, gardening, cooking, drinking fine wines, entertaining family and friends, and, most of all, spending time with his beloved wife. He loved to watch college football and was a lifelong Tennessee fan. Alan, who attained the rank of Eagle Scout in his early years, put some of those skills back to work in retirement as he enjoyed working an active archeological dig.
Alan (or “Catfish” as he was known to many) was a dear husband, son, brother, uncle, great uncle, godfather and great friend to many, never met a stranger, and delighted in helping others throughout his life. Alan is survived by his loving wife Leigh Ann Ferrill Wright, his mother Jenny Wright, brother Kent Wright, sister Mary Beth (Bill) Gates, Brother In-Law Bob Ferrill, nieces Melissa (Bryan) Clary, and Rachel (Joey) Edmonds, nephew Jay Gates, great nephews James and Wyatt Clary and Leo and Rudy Edmonds, and godchildren Nikki McGowan and Logan Swann as well as a host of family and friends.
Alan was preceded in death by his father James (Jim) Wright and Sister In-Law Leslie Ferrill Owens.
A celebration of Alan’s life is planned for Saturday, February 18th at Palmetto Bluff, in Bluffton SC at 11:30AM.
In lieu in flowers the family request memorials be sent to:
Tennessee Camp for Diabetic Children
1854 Joseph Terrace
Hixson , TN 37343
tcdctype1.com
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Alan…..
You have been a bright light in this journey of life that we all take . You left us with lasting memories of love, kindness and a friendship beyond compare .
Save us a seat up there so we can continue with the next journey. Loving you always.
Charlie and Janie Bateman
NOLA
Alan will always remain our favorite guest and friend at Jake’s in Brookfield. His smile lit up the bar. He was genuine and generous and will be missed terribly. Our prayers go out to Leigh Ann and his friends and family that will feel his absence every day. Big hugs. Karen, Jake , Noah and the Jake’s Family
Alan was larger than life. He was generous with this time and a good friend to my sister and brother-in-law. Eleanor and Peter Cobb. My thoughts and prayers are with Leigh Ann.
Tom and I loved you both the minute we met you. Our prayers are with the family as you celebrate Alan.
Thinking of you and family tonight, I sure hated to learn of this. You were a good man & I always enjoyed our talks and sharing a good glass of bourbon with you. Go rest high on that mountain, hope you’re catching those big ole bass in heaven.
To the family members I’ve never met and probably never will meet—my thoughts and prayers go out to you from my family to yours. He was an amazing guy!
You will be missed by so many. I will always remember your love for great food. Your sweet smile.
May the sharing of the many lives he touched and the happy memories he left with all help ease the burden your heart carries during this difficult time. I remember fondly Alan’s instagram posts of freshly made cocktails after he had enjoyed a day of fishing. Cheers to Alan and a life well lived.
Alan,
I am thankful for life-long friends from the Tennessee Camp for Diabetic Children like Leigh Ann. I feel blessed that you married Leigh Ann, and we became great friends and shared lasting memories. I cherish our adventures fishing, hunting, exploring great restaurants, enjoying concerts like the Doobie Brothers under the olive trees at the Cohn Winery in Sonoma, listening to Jimmy Buffett around the campfire at the cabin after enjoying Kent’s pan seared bourbon filets, enjoying a fine wine, or trying to one up each other in our hunt for a good wheat in the mash bill bourbon or just hanging out. And thank you for being my Best Man for my wedding to Lori. My heart is as full as my glass when I drink to you, old friend! Loving you always!
Mark Wilson
Madison, AL
I remember meeting Alan outside the River House when he and Leigh Ann were first looking at Palmetto Bluff. He was the friendliest and kindest man, and I always loved seeing him. Had no idea he was sick, but had wondered why I hadn’t seen him around the Bluff recently. He was always so upbeat and just a joy to converse with..Such a loss for our community.
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you, Leigh Ann…
Alan was one of the first people we met at PB. We were neighbors on Bennington rd. and Leigh Ann and Alan came over to welcome us to the neighborhood. What a class act!
It’s very sad news and we will miss seeing him around the Bluff.
Gods Speed
PS Alan did make the pond behind our houses the best large mouth fishing hole in PB…….
He was a great friend, confidant and mentor in so many ways.
Terry and I will always cherish our times spent with Alan and how he made us laugh.
We continue to reflect on his kindness, generosity and gratitude and pray for Leigh Ann and his family during this time of sadness.
Peace be with everyone!
What a great cousin in law! One of the nicest guys I’ve ever known. We were so sad when you’ll left Little Rock.
Leigh Ann, I pray it will not be long before every time you think of Alan a smile will come to you.
In His love,
Acey