William D. Wright

6/20/1928 — 6/5/2026

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William “Bill” Donald Wright died Friday June 5, 2026, at his home at the age of 97. Bill was born June 20, 1928, to Robert B. and Edna Francis Cargill Wright in the White Hospital in Lewiston.

He attended grade school at the Lewis-Clark State Normal and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1946, where he was a four-sport letterman, earning all-Bi-State honors in football and basketball. Bill was a member of the 1944-1945 football team that flew to Missoula, Mont., to play. Bill was very proud of the 1945 football team that went undefeated and nearly unscored-on in Bi-State league play. This team was only scored on three times in 11 games while compiling a 10-1 record. Bill attended the University of Idaho graduating in 1950.

After graduating Bill served his country during the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Army. He married Eleanor Paulson in June 1951 which ended in divorce in 1975. Together they had three children Bob, Lizbeth and Tom. Bill was very proud of all three graduating from the University of Idaho.

After his military obligation he returned to Lewiston and worked for the Nez Perce Roller Mills where he was production manager-salesman. In 1964, 3B’s Moving and Storage started, which later became 3B’S Transportation Company. In 1979, Bill married Patricia Bickford. Together they grew his company 3B’S Transportation to be a major player with Lewiston and Clarkston Ports. 3B’S Transportation was the first to move containers out of the Port of Lewiston. Bill developed a container cleaning program that was copied by the ports on both coasts and the Pacific Rim.

Bill and Pasty were active supporters of the Boys and Girls Club, raising funds through auctions held at their house. Bill was very active in the community such as Rotary Board where he held various offices, Jr. Chamber officer, Chamber of Commerce officer, Sports, Inc., board member, Masonic Blue Lodge Master, charter member of Robert Newell Lodge No. 96.

Bill was also affiliated with the Scottish Rite, York Rite and Shriners. Bill was a member of the Lewiston Elk Lodge No. 896 BPOE for 77 years. Bill was the president of the Idaho Warehousemen’s Association. He held various offices in work related organizations including being president of the Idaho Movers Conference, vice president of the Idaho Transportation Association, Lyon Van Lines Advertising Council and Presidents advisory board of Bekin Van Lines for eight years. Bill was a member of the Lewiston Golf and Country Club since 1951. He was one of the members that helped reorganize and build the present Lewiston Golf and Country Club. Bill was president for two years. He served on the board of directors for six years.

Bill was a member of the “Cayuse Riders and their Wild Ride” a group that preformed at all the major rodeos in the Western U.S. and Canada. They were hired to work the Calgary Stampede in 1961. He was very proud of the fact he rode the lead position setting up all the intricate drills. They rode a pony express from Packer Meadows on the Montana Border to Lewiston in less than 12 hours with the proclamation opening Highway 12.

Bill held a lifelong passion for bird hunting and had many wonderful bird dogs over the years. Bill and Patsy sold 3B’S business in 1993. They bought a motorhome and traveled the West. They both were avid golfers and together played 464 different courses.

Bill lost his best friend and wife Patsy when she was called to Heaven in January 2003.

Bill is survived by his three children: Robert and Donna Wright and his children Jason, Carmen, Erik Wright, of Lewiston, Lizbeth and Scot Hurley, of Springfield Ore., Thomas and Deean Wright, of Lewiston, and their children Paul Wright, of Spokane Valley, Leland Wright, of Boise; stepdaughter Cam Bickford (Ben Rae); step-grandkids C.J. Fleishman, Ellie Wallace, Taylor Wallace; 12 great-grandkids. Bill is also survived by his companion of 22 years Claire Carlton; nephew Steve Hopkins; and niece Jody Hopkins.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Edna Wright, his wife Pasty Wright, sister Barbara Hopkins and brother-in-law Bryan Hopkins; stepchildren Caprice Bickford, Chad Bickford, Chris Wallace, Clay Bickford and nephew Bill Hopkins.

Bill will be laid to rest at a later date with his parents at Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston. The family extends heartfelt thanks to all who cared for Bill in the final years of his life.

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