Funeral services for Mr. Billy Joe "BJ" Wright, age 94 of Ruston, LA will be held 2:00 PM, Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at Owens Memorial Chapel in Ruston. Burial will be held at Underwood Cemetery in Kodak, TN.

BJ was born April 20, 1929 in La Follette, TN to Harve Henry Wright and Nedis Delilah Brown Wright and passed away September 3, 2023 in Ruston where he spent his final years. He grew up and started his family in Knoxville, TN. BJ worked in several fields throughout his life, ranging from railroad work to the sale of manufactured homes. He was a prominent member in the Southern Baptist Church at several points in his life. BJ was also an accomplished musician and often performed with other family members as "The Golden River Boys" in both live performances and on various local radio broadcasts. He loved to travel with his family and always explored the local culture and food offerings wherever he was. When at home, BJ loved to cook up a big pot of pinto beans or jambalaya or to put on a crawfish boil or fish fry to feed his friends and family. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved camping at the lake, swimming and water skiing. BJ loved to hunt and fish which allowed him to keep his freezer fully stocked with delicacies year 'round. Although he lived in many states after leaving Tennessee, he remained a diehard fan of the University of Tennessee Volunteers football. BJ was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 57 years Verna Mae "Sally Jo" Holt Wright; sister Sylvia Joyce Wright Dukes; daughters Sharon Elizabeth Wright Kidwell and Nedis Harvette Wright Backus; and son William Franklin "Billy" Wright.

Left to cherish BJ's memory are his son Phillip Lynn Wright and daughter-in-law Lorri; daughter Mary Jolene Wright Foster and son-in-law Murphy Foster; daughter Joyce Kay Wright Chandler; Tammy Jean Wright; brother Jack Henry Wright; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 PM, Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at the funeral home. An additional service will be held on Friday, September 15, 2023 at Rose Mortuary in Knoxville, TN with a burial ceremony on Saturday, September 16, 2023 in Underwood Cemetery in Kodak, TN.