Samuel Dennis Piel

Samuel (Sam) Dennis Piel, 76, passed away at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper on September 9, 2024. Sam was born on December 1, 1947 in Worland to Samuel and Leah Katherine (Schneider) Piel. He grew up with 18 Volga German aunts and uncles and numerous cousins nearby.

At Worland High School he was senior class president, played football and drove school bus before graduating in 1966. He also met the love of his life, Margaret Jean Scott, in a drag race on main street. The couple both attended the University of Utah where Sam earned a bachelor's degree in math. They married in 1969.

Sam joined the National Guard in 1970, shortly before his first daughter Amy was born. He served until 1976, and during this time he obtained his teaching certificate and moved to Basin, Wyoming to teach math. The family continued to grow with the birth of their second daughter, Sarah, in 1974. They eventually moved back to Worland in 1976 where Sam and Jean's parents still lived. Sam always put family above everything else and would have done anything for them. He was extremely kind, generous and patient-as a son, husband, dad and grandpa. He also had a wonderful sense of humor with a laugh that made his eyes twinkle. Weekends were spent at the family cabin in the Big Horn Mountains over the years, where many memories were made.

Working alongside his father from a very young age, Sam learned the necessary skills to start a business building the finest custom homes in the area, many of which were his own designs. He was a natural problem-solver as well as a meticulous craftsman, and he was able to figure anything out that he didn't already know. During some of his high school and college years, he worked at Smitty's Chevron, which instilled a desire to work on his own vehicles throughout his life.

In his later years, Sam enjoyed traveling with Jean in their RV-they had many adventures together from coast to coast in nearly every state. He was an optimistic dreamer who loved planning new ambitious projects. He loved the outdoors and one of his favorite pastimes was driving up the mountain and finding somewhere to have lunch. Sam and Jean would also celebrate their wedding anniversary every year sitting on the shore of Yellowstone Lake, one of their favorite rituals. He loved watching for wildlife wherever he was, from Yellowstone to his own front yard. More than anything else, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, brother Raynard "Butch" Piel and sister, Janice Hubbard; and brother-in-law, Lloyd Scott. Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Jean; daughters, Amy Piel (Dan Szymanski) of Portland, Oregon, and Sarah Douglas of Worland; grandchildren, Wyatt and Aubrie Douglas; brother-in-law Rick (Carol) Scott and numerous other extended family.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, September 16, 2024 at the Worland United Methodist Church with Pastor Kayi Pfoze officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Wyoming Wildlife Federation or WCMA Food Pantry. Checks may be sent to PO Box 524, Worland, Wyoming 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhome

online.com.