Leonard Joseph Nafziger

Joe Nafziger, age 71 of Casper, Wyoming passed away on 2-6-26, at the Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions facility.

Joe was born November 24, 1954, in Los Angeles, California. Born originally Joseph Christopher Brianas, he was placed into foster homes and adopted as a young child, and grew up in Anaheim, CA. His adoptive parents later re-named him Leonard Joseph Nafziger, but he went by “Joe.” He grew up with very humble beginnings that shaped him into the man, father, and grandfather, he became. He had many adopted siblings he kept in touch with all his life and regularly visited his nieces and nephews from California to Oklahoma.

He graduated from Buena Park High School in 1973. After high school, Joe hitchhiked across the entire USA before settling in Wyoming, where he met his first wife, Shirley, and had his first daughter, Kayla. He worked as a truck driver, moving furniture, until he sustained an injury. Joe was not one to sit still; he took up various hobbies such as painting, playing pool, and working on projects around his home. You could often find him at a local coffee shop, where he also met his second wife, Teresa, and had his second daughter, Sierra. Joe found true joy in helping others, always ready to lend a hand and share whatever he could with anyone in need. He especially had a soft heart toward children and often surprised them with gifts and donations. He loved spending time outdoors, tending to his yard, and was just as likely to be found pulling weeds in a neighbor’s yard as in his own. He loved road trips, listening and singing to oldies, especially Elvis. Joe read his bible faithfully and was baptized in 2016. Joe had a gift for bringing smiles to those around him, often sharing his beloved “dad jokes” with anyone willing to listen—and even those who weren’t. His kindness and humor touched countless lives and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his children, Kayla (Dan) Wolosin and Sierra (Brandon) Nafziger; and by his grandchildren, Alyssa Irwin, Abbigail Wolosin, and Athena and Damon Tilton of Casper, WY. Joe is also survived by his nieces Danielle and Dawn, and his nephew Josh Franklin of Ada, Oklahoma.

He leaves behind countless friends made over the years—once Joe made a friend, they were a friend for life. A special thank‑you to John and Betty, who took extraordinary care of him during his final months. He cherished every moment spent with them, laughing and joking all the way to the end.

Details for Joe’s service will be shared in the near future.

Donations can be made to Shriners Children, St. Judes or any act of kindness to benefit children in need.