Ben Kendall Bilbrey

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of a cherished leader, brother, husband, father, grandfather,  and great grandfather. After an illness took an unexpected turn, we were able to enjoy his sense of humor right until the end where Ben was able to pass at home surrounded by love.

Ben Kendall Bilbrey was born on April 13, 1954, to Margaret Doris Bilbrey and Carl Haskell Bilbrey in Lubbock Texas.

Ben was born while his family was living in the Prentice Field camp near Tokio and was raised among the oil fields of West Texas. He played football for Andrews High School where he graduated in 1972. He took pride in these roots and was deeply engrained in the operation, culture and lore of the oil and gas industry. Beginning at the bottom and working his way up to business owner, his career spanned over 50 years in the oil field and earned him the title of “a pretty good hand”. He greatly valued loyalty, relationships and integrity and his business relationships lasted for generations. He opened Benro Pump in 1984 and developed a reputation for solving down hole pump problems. He was often consulted by former customers, competitors and young engineers for his vast knowledge of pumps.

Ben had a heart as big as the oil field of Texas and shared that love with his family. He taught his children to love others, music, and nature. His favorite pastime was sitting in the South Llano river with friends and family. He inspired us to never stop learning and to be brave enough to do something new. Everything he did, he did well and on large scale. As a good friend once told us; “God had to make Ben such a big man to make room for his big heart”.

The scope of people he helped and loved is far too great to be listed. He would give so freely and made you feel like a friend instantly while still letting you know exactly how you should do things. His laughter and love touched us all deeply and will leave a void that we can only fill by paying it forward and sharing his memory.

Those greeting Ben in the heavenly realm include; his mother Margaret Varner, his father Carl Bilbrey and his sister Mary Kathleen Bilbrey.

Ben shared almost 30 years with his wife Corinna Bilbrey with whom they built a family of 6 children: Elizabeth Bilbrey McMellon (husband Jeremy), Bryce Bilbrey, Michael Dylan Pena, Krishna Vasquez (husband Nate), Madison Nowell (husband Dylan), and Abigail Pitrucha Pena. Ben is also remembered by his 8 grandchildren, one great grandchild and his twin brothers Keith and Karl Bilbrey and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, January, 26^th, 2026 at the Branch at NPW. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 PM, Tuesday, January 27^th, 2026 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Midland.

Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Ben Kendall Bilbrey, please visit our Tribute Store.