Albert "Sonnie" Wendling, Jr.

Albert “Sonnie” Wendling, Jr., 85, of Casper, Wyoming, passed through Heaven’s gate on October 12, 2024.

He was born in Hayes, Kansas, on October 21, 1938 to Albert Sr. and Georgena Wendling. Sonnie graduated from Fremont County Vocational High School in Lander on May 17, 1957. He married the love of his life, Barbara Jean Bradsby, or “Squirrel,” as he affectionately called her, on August 29, 1959. 

Sonnie’s proudest accomplishments in life were being an altar boy, working as a roughneck in the oilfield, and raising his two girls, Debra and Carla with Squirrel. 

Sonnie always had a smile on his face and a joke ready to go! He was known for his calm and loving nature, and he never had an unkind word to say about anyone. He would regale you with a story about his time in the oilfield, remarking, “I’m oilfield tough!” 

He loved his cars and was well known for his lead foot, which he passed on to his eldest granddaughter. He had an Oldsmobile Cutlass, a Firebird, a Chrysler Cordoba, a Ford Gran Torino, and a Pontiac Bonneville to name a few. The passage of time was always marked by what car he owned, and you could always find him outside polishing and waxing his vehicle until it gleamed.

Sonnie lost his Squirrel to cancer on September 1, 1992. He carried her driver’s license picture in his wallet for the next 32 years and said that his heart went with her that day.

In later life, Sonnie took care of his elderly mother, flirted with the ladies at convenience stores, pharmacies, and grocery stores, spent hours watching the Denver Broncos play with his daughter, Debbie, and drinking the sweetest of coffees (mostly cream!), with his daughter Carla.

The last three years of Sonnie’s life were not easy as he struggled with dementia and had to be moved to a nursing home. But he had regular visitors, and we all learned how to reminisce with him about what he could remember. He never lost his sweet nature and the family was regularly told that he was their favorite resident. 

He is survived by his two brothers, Tim (Caroline) of West Chester, Ohio and Ken (Ladonna) Wendling; two children, Debbie Dewell (Mike) and Carla Kirby, both of Casper; five grandchildren, John (Stephanie) Bays of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Destiny Laughrey (Tom) of Casper, Hope Dewell-Gentry (Jay) of Billings, Montana, Brittany Wittler (Derek) and Kayla Kirby, both of Casper; nine great grandchildren with one on the way; and one great great grandchild.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Georgena Wendling; his wife, Barbara; a son in law, Mike Kirby; and a grandson, Michael Sonnie Kirby.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Wyoming Dementia Care or the Casper Humane Society.

A viewing will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home from 4 pm. to 6 pm. Wednesday. Services will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, Thursday at 1:00 pm., followed by burial at Wyoming Memorial Gardens.

To share a memory of Albert or leave a special message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.