Larry Bryan Bilbrey

Larry and his brothers Gerald Robert Bilbrey and Glenn Peyton Billbrey grew up in East Dallas, attending school at Samuel High School. Larry served in the United States Army immediately following graduation from High School.

Unbeknownst to him, Larry met the love of his life Phyllis Adelle Patterson at Vacation Bible School at the Colonial Baptist Church in 1958 when they both were very young. They crossed paths again at Big Town Bowling Lanes in Mesquite, Texas where they began a lifelong loving relationship. They were married on January 19, 1965 and have been together happily ever since. After they were married, he and Adelle moved to Garland, Texas where they raised their family, and eventually the couple relocated to Crandall, Texas where Larry spent his remaining years.

Being an avid bowler, Larry was President of the Dallas Bowling Association, and was inducted into the USBC Dallas Bowling Association Hall of Fame, an achievement which he was tremendously honored to receive. He was also the recipient of several other bowling awards and achievements.

Larry retired from Sylvania where he worked as a Service Manager for 43 wonderful years, and then went to work part time for a very dear and close friend, Dwayne Ferrell, at Winston Water Coolers in Dallas, Texas.

While Larry loved bowling, he was also known for his passion for golf. When he wasn’t putting bowling balls down the lanes, he could be found putting on the green. What he loved most about these sports in particular was the friendships that developed because of them. When he wasn’t bowling or golfing, he spent time with his family – wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and MacKenzie his furry friend. His love for all genres of music flowed over to his children and grandchildren making an impact on their lives.

Larry’s family describes him as being an incredible man that had a huge, positive impact on so many people. Everyone that knew Larry loved him, and he maintained every friendship that he made no matter the effort. He was never critical of anyone else, always loving, caring, giving and kind. Larry lit up the room when he entered it and it’s safe to say that people as wonderful as Larry don’t come along very often. His family says that they all were fortunate to have had him in their lives – to have loved him and to have been loved by him, and that he was the best father, husband, dad, grandfather and great grandfather! If you asked his children they would say that “If you were fortunate enough to know my father, you would agree that it made you a better person.”

Larry is preceded in death by his parents Esque Bryan Bilbrey Jr. and Doris Bilbrey. He is survived by his loving wife Phyllis Adelle Bilbrey of Crandall, Texas; Daughter Tammy Adelle Lewis & husband Rodney Quinn Lewis of Mesquite, Texas; Son Larry Bryan Billbrey Jr. & wife Julie Bilbrey of Crandall, Texas; Grandsons Justin, Cody and Taylor Lewis, Brandon and Brett Bilbrey; Granddaughter Brittney; Additional Grandchildren Rob Jackson, Amanda Hoivik, Misti Jones and Adrienne Wilson; his Great-Grandchildren Jackson David Lewis & Peyton Quinn Lydia Jackson of Mesquite, Texas and Garland, Texas; and his Brothers Gerald Robert Bilbrey of Athens, Texas, and Glenn Peyton Bilbrey of Streetman, Texas.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM at the CLife Church, Sunnyvale Campus, 610 U.S 80 Frontage Rd, Sunnyvale, Texas 75182.

Flowers can be sent to Gonzalez Funeral Home 1111 Military Parkway, Mesquite, Texas 75149. Donations can be made to the Texas Oncology Research at 3410 Worth Street Dallas, Texas 75246 in Larry’s honor.

The family invites you to share your memories or express your condolences at: www.facebook.com/larrybryanbilbrey