Ernest "Ernie" Urbin Wright, 69, of Winnsboro, died Saturday, December 1, 2018. Born June 25, 1949, in Columbia, he was a son of the late John Edward Wright Jr., and Mary Drucilla Bowers.

Ernie was a Vietnam Veteran that served his country proudly, was a member of the VFW and the Eau Claire Class of 68. He was a founding member and former deacon of Cedar Creek Baptist Church and was a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service for 30 years. He was an avid motorcyclist and loved to ride with his family, friends and the Columbia Chapter Motorcycle Club. Ernie never met a stranger and was always volunteering to help the homeless in Columbia, as well as going on a mission trip to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. He was a proud Paw Paw and will be forever missed.

He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Donna Burr Wright, his children, Tira Elizabeth Wright, Tracy Kimberly Barzanti, Ernest Urbin Wright, Jr., and Stephanie Denise Stokes (Michael); grandchildren, Kayla Johnson, Conner Godfrey, Abagail Sedlmeyer, Kie Barzanti, Shayla Creech, and Canyon Clark; great grandchildren, Jaidah, Zachary, Grayson, Ryan and Grayson; brother, John Edward "Butch" Wright, III, (Betty Lee); sister, Deborah Wright Granger (Vaughn). In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Tiann Marie McPhetridge; and a granddaughter, Heather McPhetridge.

The funeral service for Mr. Wright will be held 10 o'clock, Wednesday, December 5th, at Cedar Creek Baptist Church, 1920 Cedar Creek Road, Blythewood, SC, with Dr. James W. "J" Thompson, III officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday, from 5 until 7 o'clock at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext, Columbia. Burial with military honors to follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.