Roy V. Wright, 76, of Eau Claire, died peacefully in the early morning hours of June 13, 2005, at his home. He was born in Eau Claire on October 19, 1928, the son of Roy and Irene (Ausen) Wright, and was a life-long resident of this city. On December 30, 1950 he married his high school sweetheart, Anita H. Benson, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church; they would have celebrated their 55th anniversary this year.\r\nRoy entered the U.S. Army in January 1951, and served in the C23 Field Artillery Battalion as the company supply clerk who "moonlighted" in his spare time doing haircuts for enlisted and officers' alike while stationed in South Korea during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in February 1953 and returned to Eau Claire to begin his civilian life with his bride. He was a member of the American Legion Post #53 for 52 years.\r\nMany will remember Roy as the outgoing, gregarious owner and operator of Roy's Barber Shop on Water Street, who wielded sharp scissors and an equally sharp wit with professional expertise and efficiency for over 43 years until his retirement in 1990.\r\nRoy was a member of Eau Claire Lodge #112 F&AM, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member Zor Shrine Temple of Madison, and the Mehara Shrine Club of Eau Claire. He enjoyed singing in Scottish Rite Choir and helping with the annual Shrine Circus. He was an active participant in the Water Street Merchants Association for many years, and served as President. One of his favorite Water Street Merchant activities was being involved in the annual Doll and Pet Parade.\r\nRoy was a life-long, active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church having been in the choir, on the church council and a volunteer usher for many years. Roy enjoyed his restored '57 Ford Retractable and drove it for pleasure, in parades, to car shows and to National Retractable Conventions.\r\nSurvivors include his wife, Anita; daughter, Rebecca Wright of Minneapolis; son, Steven (Lena) Wright of Eau Claire; granddaughter, Kristina Wright of Eau Claire; brother-in-law, Robert Benson; nephew, Erik Benson and niece, Anna (Phil) Tosh, all of Missoula, MT.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents.\r\nMemorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 17, 2005, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church with Pastor Roger Churness officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Eau Claire. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Friday at the church.

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