Charles W. Wright

Charles William (Bill) Wright, 76, passed away June 15, 2026 at home. He was preceded in death by his first wife Jessie Elizabeth (Libby) after over 36 years of marriage, his parents Lewis Sr., and Viola M., brother Lewis (Jr.) and his maternal aunt Edith M. Burkhart.

He is survived by his current wife Martha (Marty) Randall-Wright, after 13 years of marriage, her sons Loren and Vincent (Mary), his son Joseph (Billy) Cariani (Amy) and daughter Catherine (Katie) Cariani, and grandsons Bryan Cariani (Kayla) and Andrew Cariani, and his dog Conan (if interested in adopting, please contact a family member).

He graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1968. In 1975, he received an associate’s in arts degree from the Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, CO, and received a bachelor’s in arts degree from Mid-America Nazarene College in 1976. He then attended the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO, to pursue his studies in the direction of evangelism. He loved Jesus Christ and wanted to share with the world what He alone had done for him throughout his life.

Bill was a member of Summit View (Eden) Church of the Nazarene, Kansas City, MO, and served as a board member for many years, and where he and Marty were joined in holy matrimony in 2013. He also attended Hillside Chapel Church of the Nazarene, Colorado Springs, CO, where he and Libby were joined in holy matrimony in 1976.

He has always had a remarkably strong work ethic, and it all began with the family-own milk delivery service back in the 50s when his dad would take him on his milk-delivery route teaching him excellence in customer service. Since his early teens tinkering under the hoods of cars with his dad and brother, he has had a heart for vehicles. This led him to a career as a mechanic, then later, managerial positions and then, eventually, parts and service in the motor vehicle industry for over 50 years. He worked for Western Auto through a few name changes to what is now known as Advanced Auto Parts where he worked for 48 years and up to the age of 76. He loved his job!

Bill loved to help anyone that needed help with their cars and would often charge way below the industry’s standard for repairing them, if he charged them at all. He also helped family members and friends with finding pre-owned vehicles and repairing them, if needed. Continuing with his love of cars, he would often be seen at car shows from anywhere local here in Kansas City all the way to Tacoma, Washington. He loved to guess the year, make and model of the vehicles he saw. He of course, was always right (Wright)!