Bertran W. Bilton

1938 - 2025

Bertran W. Bilton

Jun 4, 1938 - Aug 30, 2025

Bertran W. Bilton (87), lovingly known as Bert, Daddy, PawPaw, Big Pawpaw, or Brother Bilton, lived a beautiful life filled with unwavering faith, countless loyal friendships, and a devoted family that loved, adored, and cherished every moment that they spent with him. Bert and his siblings inherited musical talent and studiousness from their mother, Vandessa, a gifted vocalist and avid reader who could hold a conversation on nearly any topic, and his quick wit and sense of humor from his delightful father, Nealry. Bert grew up in a loving, hardworking family where the children began working from a young age. Spirituality was a regular part of his life, and the entire family was actively engaged at Second Baptist Church in Waco.

In 1956, Bert graduated from A.J. Moore High School, where he served as the Class President and was a member of the National Honor Society. After high school, he attended and graduated from Prairie View A and M College (now University) with honors. He majored in Political Science to pursue a career in politics. During his tenure at Prairie View A and M, Bert was active in numerous organizations, including the Men's Choir.

During an early morning prayer service on campus in January 1959, Bert first had a conversation with Mary Johnson from Greenville, Texas. After some convincing on Bert's part, and Mary's graduation in May 1960, the two were married on September 1st of that year. Not long after, he was drafted into the U.S. Air Force and went through navigation school, where he became a commissioned officer and later a navigation instructor. Bert was one of the first African American men from the state of Texas to receive such a ranking in the Air Force. He later taught navigation at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Texas, and then at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California. Bert served in Vietnam, flying combat missions. For his courage and dedication, he was awarded two Silver Stars, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, and nine Air Medals. After ending his military service, Bert became a supervisor at General Tire Rubber Co. He was known to be a highly effective, yet kind and compassionate leader.

In June of 1966, while living in Sacramento, California, Mary began studying the Bible with two young women who came to their door with the Bible in hand. On a brief visit home, Bert checked out approximately 30 volumes from a university library in preparation for their next visit. After personally reading answers directly from the Bible, he closed each volume and said, "this is the truth." Immediately, he was deployed overseas. But in 1969, when they moved back to Waco, they studied more and publicly asked questions during meetings. They both were baptized as Jehovah's Witnesses on October 18th of that year.

He studied the Bible several hours a day, regardless of his work or personal schedule. He delighted in sharing the good news about God's Kingdom informally, through the house-to-house ministry, conducting countless Bible studies, and giving Bible-based talks. For decades, Bert faithfully served in many roles, including substitute circuit overseer for more than 40 years, assembly overseer, presiding overseer, and coordinator. He directed numerous Bible dramas, gave public talks across many states, and worked alongside Mary to help hundreds embrace the truth from God's Word. For the 61 years they were married, Bert and Mary were always together from the early years in the military to the later years when he was her caregiver until she passed in December 2023.

Bert and Mary had one child, Lisa (Alecia). According to Dwayne, when Bert found out that Mary was expecting a baby, he leaped in the air, clapped his feet, then he spun Mary around, if only he had known what he was in for. He was a loving and doting Father and supported every aspect of her life, including her spiritual growth. Bert and Lisa had a loving relationship filled with jokes and banter. They spoke on the phone several times a day. Bert spoiled Lisa, and Lisa spoiled him. In 1990, Lisa's husband, Earnest, became the son that he and Mary never had. He loved Earnest almost as much as he loved Lisa. Through Lisa and Earnest, Bert and Mary were blessed with 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. They picked up Chad, Blake, Faith, and Hope from school every day, and Bert picked up Chloe from school every day until May of this year.

Bert was involved in the daily lives of the grandchildren who lived in Waco, and he loved to have calls and "short" visits from those who lived out of town. He expressed deep appreciation for the loving care that he and Mary received from his grandchildren. Chad would drive from out of state, at the drop of a hat, if his grandfather needed anything. Blake perfectly coordinated Bert's clothes. Faith moved out of her apartment to be readily available to her grandparents, and Hope and Sebastian have traveled from Colombia, South America, to Texas countless times to nurture and lovingly care for Bert. And Chloe, his BFF, not only introduced him to Starbucks, but kept him "young."

Bert felt extremely blessed to be the patriarch of a large family. He is survived by his daughter Alecia Bilton-Ward (Earnest, his bonus son); grandsons, Chad Ward (Ashley), and Blake Ward; granddaughters, Hayate Ali, Faith Ward, and Hope Bolivar (Sebastian, his bonus grandson); great-grandsons, Reyjhan, Javon, and Preston; great-granddaughters, Anayah, Maliha, Chloe (his BFF), and Gracelyn. Bertran is survived by a loyal and devoted sibling, Dwayne Bilton, Esq., and his dear wife, Doris Bilton Ed.D., of Missouri City; as well as his closest friends, Bobby Johnson, James Newton, Al Spencer, Eddie Murphy, and Justin Estrada. His loyal nephews, Kenneth, Bo, Bert, Chris, and Brandon Bilton, are honorary pallbearers.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Mary Bilton; his amazing parents, Nealry and Vandessa Bilton; four dear siblings Laverne Ziggler (Zeke), Larry McGill, Aaron Bilton and Victor Bilton (Barbara); precious niece who cared for many family members, Cynthia Williams (Will), and a cherished pearl; his granddaughter, Hanan Ali Lacy (Will).

Bertran W. Bilton, lovingly known as Bert, Daddy, PawPaw, Big PawPaw, or Brother Bilton, lived a beautiful life filled with unwavering faith, countless loyal friendships, and a devoted family that loved, adored, and cherished every moment they spent with him.