Bennie Bilbrey

Bennie Laverne Bilbrey was a child of The Great Depression born Friday September 13, 1928 in Cache, Oklahoma to Henry Lardy Bilbrey and (Willie) Pearl Moore Bilbrey.  The Bilbrey’s moved from Oklahoma to Cottonwood, Texas in 1937 when he was 9 years old.  He died 9 days short of his 93 ^rd birthday on September 4, 2021, in Abilene, Texas.  One of his goals in life was to live to be a hundred and he loved finding stories of those who did.

He married Ophelia Josie Park on September 27, 1945 in Cross Plains, Texas when he was just 17 years of age.  She was the church pastor’s daughter and they started and finished their lives doing what they loved most, serving the Lord and doing church work.  Their travels included many church meetings and conventions and they managed to combine those travels with their passion for camping, fishing, and RVing first in a VW Camp Mobile and later graduating to a fifth wheel RV.

Their eldest child, Garland David was born in Baird in 1946; daughter, Barbara JoVern was born in 1952 in Abilene; and a second son, Larry Glen then came along in 1953 also in Abilene.

Ben was a hard working, kind hearted gentleman with little education.  He worked first on ranches doing what he knew best- working with horses.  Horses have always been a part of his life.  To better support his growing family he went to work in the oil field.  This meant moving around as the work demanded.  They moved from Abilene to Iraan to Big Spring, then to Lubbock.  They moved back to Abilene in 1962 to work in heavy construction operating bulldozers, graders, and a number of other large machinery while helping build Interstate 20.   In 1963 they moved to Eula on some acreage so he could have his horses.  In 1966 Ben found work at McMurry College (now University) in the maintenance department.  Ben worked there 29 years until he retired in 1995.  At McMurry he was beloved and respected for his hard work, dependability and honesty.  In 1968 they moved back to Abilene south of town so he could keep his horses.

Ben and Ophelia spent 15 wonderful summers of their retirement years working and living in the mountains out of Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  The time spent there was a pleasure for them and their family who loved visiting, and creating many lasting memories in Colorado.  The mountains of Colorado were his love and he wanted to be there as often as possible even to his dying day he was looking for someone to drive him to his Colorado cabin.

Ophelia succumbed to a heart ailment and died in 2012 after 67 years of marriage.  Hurting from the loss and loneliness, Ben was blessed to meet and marry Cherryl Norris on September 13, 2014.  Cherryl was totally devoted to him until his passing.  This devotion included making numerous trips to the Colorado cabin and helping care for his beloved horses and so much more.

Ben always loved family gatherings which usually included playing dominos and card games.  He always said “We’re gonna have a good time!” and he did.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister and his wife of 67 years and one step grandchild.  Surviving him are his wife, Cherryl, two sons, Garland Bilbrey (Sue), Larry Bilbrey, and one daughter JoVern Johnson (Gerald).  Two step children Cheri Cisneros (Dan), Randy Norris.  Thirteen grandchildren and step-grandchildren Tammy Crawford (Tim), Amy Galvan, Megan Simpson Sepulveda (Yerko), Kristen Balliew (Slone).  Stephen Baker, Clay Johnson, Shelby Rogers (Andrew), Alyssa Roden (Ryan).  Christina Vaughan, Joshua Vaughan (Nikki), Tania McGilvery (Ellis), Matthew Williams, Eric Scheller.  Fifteen great-grand children and one great-great grandchild

Family visitation will be Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Piersall Funeral Home 733 Butternut, Abilene from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.  Family is asking for those not vaccinated against Covid-19, to please wear a mask at the visitation.  Graveside service with Bro John Shepard pastor at North Park Assembly of God presiding will be Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Potosi Cemetery (CR 107) 2:30-4:00pm.