Billy Pat Wright son of the late Leonard Wright and Leona White Vangilder was born on March 17, 1937 in Marmaduke, Arkansas and departed this life on December 8, 2023 at the Memory Lane Nursing Home in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 86.

Billy Pat had retired from Southwestern Bell where he had worked as an engineer.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army and National Guard from 1959-1965, and served in the Missouri State House of Representatives from 2005-2012 for the 159thDistrict.  He was a faithful member of the Dexter Church of Christ, a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather.  He volunteered for the Dexter Rotary Club, Stoddard County Republican Club, and had lobbied on behalf of Missouri Senator Doug Libla.  He enjoyed working with cattle, traveling to the Gulf Coast, dancing and singing.

On June 16, 1961 he was united in marriage to Linda Milburn in Hayti, Missouri.  Mrs. Wright preceded him in death on October 26, 2015.

He is survived by three daughters, Elaine ElizabethHack and husband Stephen of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Leah Wright LeGrand and husband Rodney of Dexter, Missouri, and Laura Paige Niblett and husband Tad of Gainesville, Georgia; by his sister, Linda Garner of Dexter, Missouri; by six grandchildren, Andrew “Drew” Austin Kelley and Kole Wright Kelley, John Riley Niblett and Cassidy Paige Niblett, James Jackson Thomason and Laighton Elizabeth Thomason; and by his great-grandson, Luka Andrew Kelley.

Other than by his wife and parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Clint Wright.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Dexter Church of Christ in Dexter, Missouri.  Funeral services will be conducted on December 10, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. in the Dexter Church of Christ in Dexter, Missouri.  Interment will follow at the Dexter Cemetery.