Posted in Obituaries

Obituary: Buford Standley Wright

 September 17, 2024

January 9, 1941 – September 14, 2024

Buford Standley Wright, 83, of Fayetteville, passed away at 6:53 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at his residence.

Born January 9, 1941, in Silverville, he was the son of Ralph G. and Lillie Mariea (Mosier) Wright. He married the love of his life, Carol Sue Mitchell, on April 9, 1960, and she survives. They were happily married for 64 years.

Standley graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1959. He worked as a die maker at GM Powertrain for 42 years, retiring in 2002. While attending a die-making trade school, he hitchhiked between Bedford and Chicago and stayed in the same hotel Al Capone had used.

He was a member of the Fayetteville Baptist Church and enjoyed participating in church functions, performing maintenance, and serving God. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, horse racing, and maintaining a pristine yard. In his younger days, he made many fishing trips to Canada and Arkansas. He was a past member of the La-Or-Ma Shriners and the National Rifle Association.

Standley was a dedicated member of the Indian Creek Volunteer Fire Department from 1982 until his death. He was fire chief for 18 years and served in various other board and officer positions. He also served on the Indian Creek Township Advisory Board for many years.

During his 42 years in the department, he responded to thousands of emergency calls to help his neighbors and could often be found happily at the fire station doing odd jobs, cleaning, maintenance, and yard work.

Survivors include his wife, Carol, of Bedford; sons Buford S. Wright, Jr. and wife, Donna, of Eureka; Monty D. Wright and wife, Nikki, of Fayetteville; daughter Michelle Hudson, of Springville; grandson Branson Hudson; stepbrother Tom Hudson; stepsister Debra Butler; half-brothers Alan Wright and Dwayne Wright; and his dog, Polly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Gerald and Ora Lee (Sam), many friends, and two special dogs, Tasha and Ebony.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 19th, in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary, with Pastor Kenny Walden officiating. Burial will follow in Cresthaven Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18th, and from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service on Monday at the Day & Carter Mortuary.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, friends consider memorial contributions be made in Standley’s memory to the Indian Creek Volunteer Fire Department or the White River Humane Society.

Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com.