Johnnie Phillips

Johnnie W. Phillips, 86, passed away on January 15th, 2018 at his home in Casper, WY surrounded by loved ones. Johnnie (John) was born on June 26, 1931 in the care taker's cabin at Fort Casper, WY to John W. (Sr.) and Anna (Haygood) Phillips. Raised on the family homestead southwest of Casper, John spent his childhood summers herding sheep in the Pedro Mountains. He attended school in Alcova where they wintered their sheep. In the eighth grade, John was called back to the ranch to work fulltime when his brothers were called into the service in World War II. John met his wife of 67 years, Goldie Clark, while the two were chaperoning a dance at Sweetwater Hall; he for his sister Ida and Goldie for her brother Ervin. They were married in a double wedding with Ervin and Ida a few months later on January 27, 1951. Later that year while working for Miles Land and Livestock herding sheep, the couple welcomed their first son, John, home to their sheep wagon. They were blessed with three more sons; Dick in 1953, Rockie in 1955, and Everett in 1956. John joined the International Iron Works union in 1957. He was a talented and dedicated iron worker, contributing to projects from the Minuteman missiles in South Dakota to the Oroville Dam in California. He went on the work as a superintendent for Bill Kind Construction for nearly 20 years working mainly on the refineries in Casper and Newcastle. In 1981 he founded RD Welding with his sons Rockie and Dick where he continued to specialize in refinery work. Concurrent with his welding career, John and Goldie raised sheep, cattle, and certified alfalfa hay on their farm west of Casper on Poison Spider Creek until 1994. John retired from RD Welding in 2004 but really never stopped working. He could be found working in his shop or feeding his horses up until his death. John had a passion for hunting and fishing. He and his family hunted elk on Pacific Creek in Teton County for over 50 years. John and Goldie were the cornerstone of the renowned Phillips-Clark elk camp and kept it operating for nearly a month every year as family members would come and go. In the summer he could be found fishing the lakes and streams of Wyoming. For a man tough as nails, he had a soft spot in his heart for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his later years, his greatest joys and proudest moments were watching their sports, attending their school programs, and helping Goldie babysit their great-grandchildren. John is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Clifford, Daniel, Robert, and Carl and sisters Betty McConahay and Ida Clark. He is survived by his wife Goldie, sister Anna May Weaver of CA, sons John, Dick (Andrea), Rockie (Cindy), and Everett, along with 9 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday January 20th, 2018 at Bustard's Funeral Home in Casper, WY. Burial will follow at the Alcova Cemetery. Viewing will be from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, at Bustard's Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent in care of Bustard's Funeral Home, 600 CY Ave., Casper, WY 82601.

Service

Saturday, January 20, 2018 11:00am

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601

Visitation

Friday, January 19, 2018 3:00pm - 7:00pm

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601