Willie J. Wright
Cite this Page
"Willie J. Wright," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/940.
- Position
- Gardener
- Years in President's House
- circa 1940 – 1951
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
- Willie James Wright was born on December 5, 1889, in Louisa, Virginia. (1) He owned and operated a farm there, but later moved to Washington, D.C. (2) As early as 1940, he joined the White House staff as a gardener, maintaining the gardens and grounds onsite; Wright’s nephew, Milton E. Bickley, also worked on the grounds staff at this time. (3) The exact tenure of Wright’s service is unclear, but he is documented on staff through at least 1951– that year, President Harry S. Truman approved a salary increase for Wright. (4) Further information about his career is scarce. Willie Wright died on August 10, 1983, and was buried at Bybee's Road Baptist Church Cemetery in Fluvanna County, Virginia. (5)
- (1) Willie James Wright in the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, National Archives at St. Louis; St Louis, MO, USA; World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) For the District of Columbia; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Box or Roll Number: 076, Ancestry.com.
(2) Willie J Wright in the 1920 United States Federal Census, Year: 1920; Census Place: Louisa, Louisa, Virginia; Roll: T625_1894; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 86, Ancestry.com.
(3) "White Regular Employees of the White House Christmas, 1940," Folder: Christmas Subject File, Grace Tully Papers, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York; “William J. Wright,” Ancestry, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/120716202/person/282061284238/facts?_phsrc=GAH1820&_phstart=successSource.
(4) “Memorandum to President Harry S. Truman re Salary Increases for White House Employees,” November 1, 1951, White House Files: President's Secretary's Files, Harry S. Truman Library, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/354584155.
(5) “Willie J. Wright,” The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Virginia), August 12, 1983, pg. 12. - Birthplace
- Louisa, Virginia, USA