William Drew Johnson

Drew Johnson passed away peacefully on June 5, 2024, in Casper, Wyoming, with family present. Drew was born in McKinney, Texas, to Ollie and Otis Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister’s Rachel Randles and Jean Trice. Drew often reflected he was blessed to have the best childhood growing up on the family’s west Texas farm without the modern amenities of electricity and running water.

Drew liked to share that he was the valedictorian of his high school graduating class. It was a class size of six students.  He graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in business. Although he began his career as an accountant it quickly transitioned to working in oil and gas after he took a position with Land & Marine working in the Rocky Mountain region. Drew fell in love with Wyoming and made it his home beginning in the early sixties. In 1978, Drew became a partner in Spidle Sales & Service, an oilfield tool and supply company where he worked until his retirement.

On December 31, 1964, Drew married his sweetheart, Darlene Sylvia Harkin Johnson. They raised their three children in Wyoming until they retired to Hamilton, Montana in 1997. Drew was proceeded in death by Darlene in 2015. He is survived by his children, John Johnson (Shawna) of Casper, Joe Johnson (Deirdre) of Casper, and Jennifer Johnson (Marguerite) of Salt Lake City, Utah. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Reilly Schierman (Matthew) and “Little” Drew Johnson, and three great grandchildren, Owen, Lincoln and Neil. He was known to his great grandchildren as “Papa Dude.”

Drew lived a full and adventurous life. He was an avid outdoorsman, developing a great love for hunting and fishing which he shared with his family. He also loved to ride snowmobiles in the winter and motorcycles the other times of the year. He was a great caretaker of his family, giving unconditional love and support. He was a generous man with both his time and resources. Drew had a gift with animals, they loved his gentle spirit. He was never without a dog, and there were many over the years. When Darlene was riding cutting horses he raised the horses as his pets. Drew and Darlene lived their final years in Hamilton, Montana on their Triple D Ranch.

Drew lived his life by the following motto: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “wow what a ride.”

Drew was a good storyteller, and we have no doubt he is with his Maker talking about all his adventures on earth.

The family would like to thank the many staff at Mountain Plaza Memory Care and the hospice staff at Enhabit Home Health who always treated our father with respect and dignity to the very end.

The family had a private celebration of life on June 5, 2024. No additional services will be held.