Wilbur Wayne “Willie” Wright
Education:
Attended 12 grade schools in five different states and two High Schools
Graduated from Pueblo Centennial H.S., on May 28, 1931 (he weighed 120 lbs.)
Attended School District No. 20's "Opportunity Night School" at Pueblo Central H.S. in 1936.
Family History:
Father drafted into infantry 1918, got TB and never returned home and Wright's mother was an Army Nurse and sent to Ft. Riley, Kansas...In 1925 the Family was moving from Topeka, KS to Oregon and the car broke down in Pueblo and they stayed...For two years (1925-26) Wilbur caddied at the Pueblo Country Club and sold the Pueblo Chieftain (papers) at 6th & Main...Later received two paper routes and got six cents per week per paper (papers cost 15 cents a week)...In 1926, Wright volunteered in Boys Department a YMCA (for his membership) in charge of games, swimming pool and locker rooms...Three years later (1929), "Willie" started teaching eight and nine year old boys swimming and swam for the older boys team...The Stock Market Crash of 1929 took Wilbur's savings of $75.00 and so he hitch-hiked to Missouri and worked on a farm and went to high school for 2 months...For the next 18 years (1930-48), be lived at the YMCA in room 401 until he got married.
Athletics:
Basketball:
"Willie" was a lightweight participant at Hinsdale Elementary for two years (1926-27, also played softball too)...His team played against college teams from Lamar to Trinidad to Alamosa in the AAU tournaments...Wright played for the following teams:
- Bear Axel (1939-50)
- Fountain Sand & Gravel (1950-51)
- Ladd Lumber (1951-52)
Wright's squad also played against pro teams for fundraisers for Elks charities:
- The All American Red Heads girls team (met seven times)
- Harlem Globe Trotters with Marques Haynes, Al Pullins and "Goose" Tatum
- New York Broadway Clowns
Baseball:
Wright also played for several area baseball squads:
American Legion (1928-29)
Robinson-Gardner (second base)
Pueblo Chieftain (second base)
Boone Merchants (1946-48)
Eagles Lodge for a season (1949) before he sprained his knee and eventually ending his playing days.
Swimming: Participant on the Y Swim Team
Contributor:
Volunteer Official Timer at Pueblo Catholic High (1947-48
Junior Board of Directors - City YMCA
Charter Member of the Centennial Booster Club - 1955
Charter Member College Booster Club 1957-1991 (present)
- Pueblo Junior College
- Southern Colorado State College
- University of Southern Colorado
Charter Member of the “Y”’s Men’s Club of Pueblo, Colorado in 1948
Contributor to Runyon Field and Boy’s Baseball Leagues
Occupation: "Willie" worked Bear Axel Wheel Service and taught swimming at the YMCA
Personal: Lived in Pueblo, CO with his wife, Mary V. Bolton...Passed away in October 8, 1994.
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