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Phillip was born to Christian and Dora (Roth) Wagner in Lovell, Wyoming, on July 1, 1937. He talked fondly of his childhood but also talked of the struggles of a large family after losing his dad at a young age. Phillip’s passing is an end of an era as he was the last of five brothers and five sisters to leave us.
He married his high school sweetheart, Jo Ann Cozzens in 1956; they were married 61 years before she passed in 2017. Phillip and Jo Ann raised three children while running several small businesses in Wyoming. After some years in Montana, they moved back to Deaver, while he continued his career in Billings. This meant early mornings and lots of travel, but he always found a way to be home to watch his kids play sports.
Eventually he and Jo Ann retired in Lovell, Wyoming. During retirement he became a master woodworker building everything from picture frames and toy cars and trains, a prized wooden jar he loved to joke about, to cedar chests and a beautiful hall tree, furniture, and a special raised garden; he continued to work on special projects for his family. You cannot walk through one of our homes without seeing some of his handiwork. He loved raising vegetables, but not more than eating them; he loved the fresh tomatoes and cucumbers! Always looking for more from a neighbor or a vegetable stand.
Phillip was a jokester; he didn’t meet anyone he didn’t like or couldn’t get a smile out of. Most of all he loved his family, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren gave him so much joy. He showed each and every one of them his genuine love.
Phillip leaves a huge hole on this earth as he goes to be with Jo Ann. He is survived by his children, Rox Ann (Sid) Beall, David (Sharon) Wagner and Klay (Aneka) Wagner; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, several sisters and brothers-in-law, along with many great friends he loved like family.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m. at Haskell Funeral Home in Lovell.
