KALAMAZOO, MI --

"I am shocked and saddened," is how Kalamazoo car dealer Mike Seelye described hearing Saturday afternoon that business partner Bill Wright had died.

"Obviously I have a long history with him," Seelye said. "We have worked together and been partners for 30-plus years. So it's shocking to me and a sad situation. It's hard to believe that a guy who was as big as life as him is dead."

Seelye spoke Saturday night via telephone from Omaha, Neb., where he said he was visiting family members.

Wright, who until recently was a co-owner of the Seelye-Wright Automotive Group, has been the familiar pitch man for the business, known for ending TV commercials and other advertisements by pointing to prospective car-buyers and saying, "Yes, we can!"

Seelye said he was told Wright, 55, was found in Fort Myers, Fla., where he had a second home. Seelye said he did not know what may have caused Wright's death and, referencing information that his body was found, indicated that it was not clear when the man may have died.

WWMT News Channel 3 reported Saturday night that Wright was found in Clearwater, Fla. Seelye said Wright has a condominium in Ft. Myers that he was planning to make his primary residence, although it appeared he planned to maintain his residence in Kalamazoo.

He said he last saw Wright just before Christmas and believe Wright traveled to Florida on Thursday, the day after Christmas, after spending time with some family members. Wright was married and had two adult sons.

Wright's role with the car dealerships changed in early October when Mike Seelye bought out Wright's interests in the business. And the name of the car retailer was shortened to the Seelye Automotive Group.

Seelye is majority owner of the auto group, named for his late father Don Seelye. It includes locations in Paw Paw, Battle Creek, Holland, South Haven and Kalamazoo and involves the new car sales of the Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Kia and Ram vehicle lines.

During an Oct. 3 interview with Wright and Seelye, the men said Wright was to manage the dealerships in outlying areas, while Seelye was to manage the chain's flagship Ford and Kia location on Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo along with his son Mickey, who was becoming a co-owner of the business.

The men said the changes were amicable and were being made to establish a line of ownership succession. They said Wright's two sons live out of state and have no plans to work in car sales. Mickey Seelye, 35, has worked for 12 years in car sales and was interested in a greater role in the business. Mike Seelye, 61, and Wright, said at the time that they were both in good health.

There was no immediate word on funeral arrangements.

Wright was known for his efforts to help children who have been abused or neglected or have other needs through his Wright for Kids foundation. It annually hosts a fundraising rock 'n' roll concert at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place to benefit Community Healing Centers and its programs to help children.

Wright was majority owner of the Kalamazoo Kings minor league professional baseball team. The team played from 2001 through 2011.

Contact business writer Al Jones may at ajones5@mlive.com. Follow me on Twitter at ajones5_al.