Mr. James Rex Bilbrey,83, an Overton County resident, passed away at his home on December 10th, 2025. A U.S. Army veteran, James was a devoted soldier, son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

 A funeral service will be held at Speck Funeral Home in Livingston on Friday December 12th, 2025, at 1 p.m. The family welcomes friends to visit and share on Friday from 11 a.m. until time for the service. Burial will follow at The Overton County Memorial Gardens in Livingston. Officiating the services will be brother Charles Tinch and sister Dana Fouts.

James is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years Linda Brown Bilbrey. Also surviving is his cherished daughter Amy Bilbrey Poston. His grandchildren are Cody Poston (Kaitlin), James Cade Poston (Allie), Makenzi Poston, and Madison Poston Ramsey (Jared). His 3 great-grandchildren are Kendall, Winsley, and Tyson Poston. he is also survived by a brother David (Beep) Bilbrey of Celina and many other relatives and friends. We would never be forgiven if we failed to mention a very special friend, Dolly, who will be missing James tremendously. To some she is just a dog, but to James she was a true companion.

James was preceded in death by his parents S.E. (Ed) & Ada Condra Bilbrey, a brother Donald Bilbrey, and sisters Dorothy Sissom, Doris Jackson, Lexie Shupperd, Lorene Long, Dorene Bilbrey, and Evelyn Brown.

Born in Moss TN on June 17th, 1942, James was proud of his Clay County upbringing and never missed a chance to back home to visit with friends and relatives. James and Linda spent many an hour on the road sightseeing and looking for their next adventure. After serving honorably in the US Army, James graduated from Barber college but ended up working for the telephone company in the telecommunications industry. When James got the chance, you can bet he would head for One Stop BBQ in Celina where it is supposed he probably tried everything on the menu at least once. James was a humble man and didn't talk much about his military service but was known to say that many soldiers had it rougher than him. James loved going to the beach with his family and using his binoculars to watch the dolphins and wildlife. . James was known to say that every day is a good day. James accepted Jesus Christ as his savior on November 23rd, 2004.  James is spending every day in heaven now, where every day is indeed a good day.