Joe Wright

Joe Lorin Wright, 94, a lifelong resident of Williamsport, went home to rest with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. His journey with Parkinson’s and dementia has ended.

Joe was born in 1931, the youngest of five children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Elsie (Wardell) Wright; his brothers Warren “Wimpy” (Norma) Wright and Kenneth (Virginia) Wright; and his sisters Helen (Paul) Whitsed and Norma Jean (William) Keller.

He grew up helping his father in the family auto garage, repairing and servicing vehicles for the Williamsport community for many years. His lifelong love of service, hunting, fishing, and adventure began at a young age. He played basketball and was a high jumper for the track team at Williamsport High School, where he graduated in 1951. After high school, he enlisted in the Ohio National Guard.

In a fateful encounter while visiting friends in Frankfort, Ohio, in 1952, Joe met his soulmate, adventure partner, and wife of nearly 74 years, Nellie Margaret (Harris) Wright. The fell instantly in love and were married six months later. They never had a serious fight. Their everlasting love was the stuff of storybooks throughout Joe’s entire adult life. Their children, Gary (Peggy) Wright and Judy (Terry) Stewart, were born in 1953 and 1956, respectively. Joe enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Korean War, where he served between the births of his children. After returning home to Williamsport, he worked at his brother Wimpy’s lumber yard, Wright Lumber. Later, he started his own business, Wright Builders. Nearly every home in Williamsport, and hundreds across Pickaway County, were built with materials from Wright Lumber or were built, remodeled, or repaired by Wright Builders, a business that continues to this day with Joe’s son, Gary, and his grandson Nathan.

Gary and Judy spent their youth boating, skiing, and camping at state parks across Ohio. Joe’s steady hands were always at the wheel, whether steering the boat or driving the truck. This love of state parks continued as Joe took his grandchildren on camping trips to Deer Creek, Paint Creek, Seneca Lake, and many others. Halloween weekend was always a favorite time for decorating the campsite and making new friends. He is remembered fondly by his grandchildren Aaron (Joe) Stewart, David Stewart, Jason (Priscilla) Fuller, Renee (Butch) Brungs, Clinton Wright, Nathan Wright, Heather (Justine) Simpson, and Danyelle (Tyler) Hayes, as well as by numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, who affectionately called him Papaw. His many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews remember him as Uncle Joe.

In 1980, after his father suffered a stroke, Joe helped organize the Williamsport and Deercreek Emergency Squad (WADES), a volunteer EMS program, which he seeded with many family members who became EMTs, including his sister Helen, niece Kay, his children Gary and Judy, his daughter-in-law Peggy, his grandsons Nathan and Jason, and his granddaughter-in-law, Priscilla. Though he never became an EMT himself, he served as a volunteer ambulance driver for over 20 years. For nearly 40 years he served the Williamsport Volunteer Fire Department and from 1979 to 1992. Joe also served as Fire Chief. Joe was an active and dedicated member of Williamsport United Methodist Church and later Circleville Baptist Church.

In retirement, Joe and his beloved Nellie traveled the United States in their camper, often spending winters in Florida and Texas. Their travels together led them to all 48 of the contiguous United States. Together, they played cards with other couples in the local Euchre club, while also teaching the entire family to play every card game imaginable.

The Wright family invites all who remember and love Joe to join us for visitation at Wellman Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026 at the Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. with burial to follow in Springlawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Williamsport and Deercreek Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 420, Williamsport, Ohio 43164. Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.