Gaither Leon Bilbrey

Gaither Leon Bilbrey was born on February, 27, 1937, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to loving parents Louise and Hollis Bilbrey.  First raised in St. Elmo and then on Signal Mountain, he lost his father to illness when he was 10 years old.  Louise later married Hollis’s brother Benton Bilbrey and the family moved to Tyner where Gaither attended Bess T. Shepherd Elementary School and graduated from Tyner High School in 1955.  

As a young man, he served in the U.S. Army and drove for commanding General Adams and his family at Mannheim, Germany.  He would continue his service in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. 

During his time as a reservist in Chattanooga, he met Pikeville native, Shirley Bickford at church and the couple were married several years later in 1967.  They recently celebrated 55 years of marriage.  Shirley and Gaither took many trips, were known for their picnic lunches, and loved antique stores.  They were endlessly amused by their succession of cats. 

Mr. Bilbrey was a lifelong learner.  By the late 1970’s he had established himself as a national broker for fertilizer components, busily running his company Service Chemicals.   He created real friendships nationwide and enjoyed his greatest professional success during the period.

Tyner Church of Christ was his home church for a remarkable 7 decades.  For many years he proudly served as the regular songleader for the congregation and at different times supported and served on the boards of the Martin-Boyd Christian Home and the Greater Chattanooga Christian Services children’s home, all affiliated with local Churches of Christ.

Mr. Bilbrey was a car enthusiast from the youngest age, an accomplished mechanic and- it would please him to be said- both a gifted driver and patient teacher of others in the same principles.   Spanning decades he owned many elegant and interesting antique cars, yet won only a handful of awards by pure accident; most often he would arrive at a show prepared with a sign that his cars not be judged or create a simple message to that effect on the spot.  He was simply interested in seeing what other people had to display and looked forward to good conversation with his customary enthusiasm.   

Gaither Bilbrey passed from us peacefully during the morning of August 6, 2022.  In addition to the early loss of his father, this passing was preceded by his stepfather, Benton Bilbrey in 1991 and his much-beloved mother, Louise Bilbrey in 2012.  During his later years he also lost siblings, Monty Bilbrey, Joan Roberts, and Benton Bilbrey, Jr.    

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Bilbrey; brother, Kenneth Bilbrey; sister-in-law, Kelly (Benton) Bilbrey; and nephews, Jeremy and Benton (Julie) Bilbrey all of Chattanooga.

The family will receive friends at Tyner Church of Christ at 11 am on Thursday, August 11, 2022.  The memorial service will follow at noon with John A. Cupp, Jr. and George Cupp officiating.  The family will be encouraged by all those who can come together to celebrate his life. 

Donations in his memory may be made to Tyner Church of Christ or the charity of your choice. 

Final remains will be interred at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at a later date.

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