John “Bobby” Wright died October 27 at his home in Madison, Tennessee, aged 84. His obituary said he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones; no cause was announced. As radio operator Willy Moss, he appeared in all 138 episodes of McHale’s Navy and both companion films. His obituary identified him as the comedy’s last surviving main cast member, bringing a poignant close to the ensemble that shared the screen with Ernest Borgnine, Joe Flynn and Tim Conway.
Away from Hollywood, Wright carried another remarkable inheritance: he was the son of country stars Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright. A performer since childhood, he charted 21 country singles, including 1971’s “Here I Go Again,” which reached No. 13. He continued touring with his family until his parents retired in 2007. Survived by two daughters, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Wright leaves a legacy spanning television laughter, country stages and generations of family memories.
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