Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Dennis Wilk Lawrence was born in Buffalo, WY on September 5th, 1951 to Orin Lawrence and Jean (Tyrrell) Lawrence. He lived in Cody, WY and had been a resident at Cody Regional Health for the past 6 months where he passed away on March 5th, 2023 after a lengthy illness. He was the third of 6 children in his family. His dad, who was he and his brothers’ hunting and fishing partner, passed away suddenly when Dennis was nine leaving a void in his life. He spent many days, including winter, fishing Clear Creek with his brothers or friends. He started a lawn care business at a young age and helped keep the freezer supplied with wild game and fish.

In 1966 his mom remarried and his step-dad moved the family to Worland in 1967. He helped his step-dad farm and care for livestock. He got involved in FFA at high school where he made good friends, graduating in 1971. He went to work for Halliburton in Rock Springs for a year and moved back to Worland and worked for Dowell Chemical. He married Christine Hill in Worland in 1976 and adopted her 2 children from a previous marriage, Heather and Tim. He transferred with Dowell to Powell, WY where Charley and Margaret (Maggie) were born, completing their family. They were later divorced. He then went to work as a truck driver for 30 plus years, which took him all over the US. He really enjoyed his work and had many truck driving stories. Dennis grew up attending the Wesleyan Church in Buffalo, but did not accept Christ as his Savior and Lord until he was an adult. He was a steadfast testimony to all who knew him of humility and contentment for the blessings that God provided each day. His tattered Bible was opened and read every day.

Dennis was preceded in death by his grandparents; dad, Orin; mother, Jean; step-father, Art Taylor; sisters, Rogene Stathos and Bonnie Lawrence; and step-son, Tim Hill. He is survived by his brothers, Ray (Judy) of Powell, and Mike (Brenda) of Coeur d’Alene ID; sister, Anita Carver (Dale) of Worland; brother-in-law, Tom Stathos of Glasgow, MT; children, Charley (Heather) Lawrence of Powell, Maggie Short of Cody, and step-daughter Heather Dye of Stanford, MT; grandchildren Dayton and Carson Lawrence and Preston, Conner, and Lexi Short; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

No service is planned at this time. Cremation has taken place and the family is planning a memorial service this summer during their reunion at Circle J Camp.