Wilbur W. Drennen

Posted

(April 26, 2004)

A lifelong Wyoming resident, Wilbur W. (Whimpy) Drennen, 85, died Monday, April 26 at the Powell Valley Healthcare Center. He had been a resident of the nursing home for the past year.

He was born April 23, 1919, in Lingle to Lloyd and Mary (West) Drennen. He graduated from Lingle High School in 1938. From 1940 to 1945, he served with the U.S. Army in the 41st Infantry Division, seeing action in New Guinea and the Philippines.

He married A. Lorraine Turner in Douglas in 1945. She preceded him in death. He married Genevieve Newell in Worland in 1967. She also preceded him in death.

He joined Mountain Bell Telephone Co. in Douglas in 1952, serving as a lineman on a roving construction crew. In 1954, he became a combination man in Douglas, a service technician with responsibility for home telephone installation and repair. He transferred to Worland in 1967. He retired from Mountain Bell with 25 years of service.

He was active in the Elks, American Legion and the Masons. He belonged to Telphone Pioneers of America. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, spending time with his friends and family and played and coached American Legion Baseball.

Survivors include his daughters, Carol Richendifer and husband Zern of Powell, and Phyllis Johnson and husband Jake of Douglas; stepson, John (Bob) Newell of Renton, Wash.; sisters, Jean Ellsworth of Sun City, Ariz., and Elaine King and husband Jack of Broomfield, Colo.; brother, Albert Drennen and wife Darlin of Denver; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; a brother, Vergil; and a great-grandson, Ryan Turner Jacobs.

By his wish, cremation has taken place and burial will be held in the Lingle Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials to a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.

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