By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WYOMING - Walter Graham Wright Jr. wasn't afraid of work.

It didn't matter that in the early days of his career as a social worker he had to moonlight to support his family. What was important to him was helping people.

"Walter was the kind of person that when he saw you were in need, he just knew it and he would be there," said Becky Miars, his companion since 1972.

"Wherever there was a need, he would just go do it. He always saw the value in people."

Mr. Wright, 77, a World War II veteran and licensed independent social worker, died Dec. 16 at his Wyoming home of amyloidosis, a disorder that affects tissues and organs.

Before he retired in 1990, Mr. Wright worked for the Ohio Humane Society and had been a case worker for Children's Protective Services. Before that he worked for the Hamilton County Welfare Department.

A native of Wyoming, he graduated from Wyoming High School and worked as a meat packer for Kahn's. During World War II he enlisted with the Marines in 1944 and served as a light anti-aircraft gun crewman.

After the war he used the G.I. bill to further his education, receiving a bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1949 and a master's in social work from Atlanta University in 1968.

He became a case worker for Hamilton County in 1951, but found that he had to work at other jobs - as a mail handler, a delivery man or a janitor - to support his family.

Mr. Wright wrote many articles and spoke nationally about the protection of children.

He was a former field supervisor for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a member of the Children's Trust Fund local advisory board, and former president of the Council of United Way Executive Directors.

In addition to his companion, survivors include a daughter, Stephanie Cheryl Wright of West Chester; and two grandsons.

A memorial service is 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church, 1345 Grace Ave. Mr. Wright's body was donated to the UC College of Medicine.

Memorials: Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 3949 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223; or Hartland Hospice, 2300 Wall St., Cincinnati, OH 45212.