William Alan Wright

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