In Memoriam: William A. Wright, Sr.

1937-2007

Robert Cherry Jr., CHP

William A. (Bill) Wright, Sr., 70, of Phoenix, Arizona, died of natural causes on 17 July 2007. He was born 24 February 1937 in San Jose, California, and is survived by his wife Sandra and his four sons, William Jr., Keith, Michael, and Bradley.

Bill was a longtime member of the Health Physics Society and a retired U.S. Army officer. He graduated from the U.S. Army Nuclear Power Plant Operators Course at Fort Belvoir and was entitled to wear the Nuclear Reactor Operator Badge. He later received a direct commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Medical Service Corps and entered the health physics profession.

As his years of military service grew, he served as mentor to many young Army officers beginning their military health physics careers under his kind and patient tutelage. He retired as a major after more than 20 years of military service, including both his time as an enlisted member and as a commissioned officer.

He joined the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency following his retirement from the Army and rose to the position of Radioactive Materials Program manager. He retired from the Agency on 29 June, less than three weeks before his death.

Bill was a superb Army officer and always a gentleman. All of us, but especially his family, will miss him. Please keep Bill's family in your thoughts and prayers.