William Charles Wright

Dr. William Charles "Bill" Wright, 92, of Stevensville, Maryland, passed away on December 27, 2023. He was born on January 5, 1931, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to the late Charles Smith Wright and Mary Alice (Rowell) Wright. Bill proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1953. After his military service, he pursued his higher education, earning Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and a Doctorate in Education from American University in Washington, DC. Throughout his career, Bill made significant contributions in various fields. He worked at Mobil Oil Company in New York from 1957 to 1960 before transitioning to academia as a student administrator at the University of Bridgeport, CT, until 1964, and as Assistant Dean of Students for Georgetown University in Washington, DC, from 1964 to 1966. Bill's passion for Education then led him to Wesley College in Dover, DE, where he served as Dean of Students and Academic Dean from 1966 to 1979. He later became the owner/CEO of a personnel recruiting firm in Dover from 1979 to 1989. Bill's commitment to public service led him to serve as a Magistrate in the Justice of the Peace Court in Dover from 1990 to 1995. Outside of his professional endeavors, Bill was an active member of his community. He served as a trustee at Delaware Technical and Community College from 1976 to 1981 and was the President of the Dover Rotary Club in 1989 and 1990. Bill was passionate about patient safety advocacy and contributed his expertise to organizations such as the NPSF, Patient Safety Reporting Workgroup of the MD Healthcare Commission, and the MD Patient Safety Coalition. His dedication to patient safety earned him recognition as a World Health Organization "Champion" designated by the World Alliance for Patient Safety. Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Rose Marie (nee Verrilli) Wright of Stevensville, MD, son Kyle William Wright of Glasgow, VA, daughter Karen Wright Culotta (Rick) of Queenstown, MD, daughter Tracey Wright Cole of Camden, DE, his grandsons, Thomas Kettenring (Carol) of Stevensville, MD, and Evan Cole of Felton, DE and his brother Richard Wright (Anne) of Stratford, CT. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Smith Wright and Mary Alice (Rowell) Wright. A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life will be held on January 13, 2023, at 11 am at Old Wye Episcopal Church in Wye Mills, MD. A reception will be held following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or the Caroline County Humane Society in Ridgely, MD (in memory of both Bill and “Charlie”). Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam in Chester, Maryland. Please join us in remembering and celebrating the life of Dr. William Charles "Bill" Wright.

William Charles Wright

January 5, 1931 - December 27, 2023