W.C. Bilbrey

W.C. Bilbrey, 96, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2015 in Abilene. Graveside services will be 2:30p.m., Wednesday, January 28, 2015 in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 28, 2015 from 12:30 to 2:00p.m. at the funeral home, prior to leaving for the graveside service.

W.C. was born on November 3, 1918 in Cache, OK to Henry L. and Pearl Moore Bilbrey. He went to school in Oklahoma and moved to Cottonwood, TX in 1937. In March of 1941, W.C. joined the Army Signal Core. He was stationed in San Antonio, TX, Fort Sill, OK, Tyler, TX, and Monticello, AR. W.C. entered the U.S. Air Force in 1943. He was stationed in Hawaii in 1944 and in Okinawa in 1945. He was honorably discharged on November 14, 1945.

W.C. met Gladys Holdridge for the very first time on April 17, 1946 and just two weeks later on May 4, 1946, they were married in Mineola, TX. They lived their married life in Mineral Wells, De Leon, and Breckenridge before moving to Abilene in 1960. They were member of the First Assembly of God Church in Abilene. W.C. was a Pontiac mechanic for 37 years, retiring in 1983. He had worked for several Pontiac dealerships with his longest employment being with Manly Pontiac in Abilene.

W.C. was a wonderful storyteller, often speaking of days gone by with incredible detail, especially dates. He had an amazing memory, a huge heart, and above all else; he was always a gentleman. He will be greatly missed.

Preceding him in death were Gladys, his beloved wife of 49 years in 1995; and one grandson, Brad McDonald in 2008. He was also preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lloyd and Gene Bilbrey; and a sister, Ruby Purvis. Survivors include his two daughters and their husbands, Darla (Alton) Frazier of Cisco, TX and Charolett (Dennis) McDonald of Clyde, TX; three granddaughters and their husbands, Lisa (Mitch) Ezell, Teresa (Greg) Parks, and Mindy (Terry) Broadfoot all of Clyde, TX; great-grandchildren, Lauren Ezell, Ethan and Makenna Parks, Addi Wyatt, Tanner Broadfoot, and Haley McDonald; one brother, Ben Bilbrey of Abilene; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Hendrick Home for Children, P.O. Box 5195, Abilene, TX 79608 or Hendrick Hospice.