Thomas Lee Bivens, 84, of Garrison, died Saturday, June 27, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Lewis County on November 28, 1941, a son of the late Thomas and Pauline Pitts Bivens.
Tom was a man of few words, but when he said them, he didn’t have to repeat himself.
He could tell you two dozen stories from decades ago without missing a beat when it came to the location, year, or even the day. Most of those stories were about Vietnam, bulldozing, the steel mill, or his dad.
He truly was a Mr. Fix-It-All. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. Now, it might not look pretty, but it’ll get done. Tom’s repairs were evidence of his love. If he heard you were in need, he’d show up the next day unannounced and determined. Dead car batteries, leaking water pipes, misfiring engines, electrical work, run-down tractors, problematic brake lines, broken-down lawn mowers — these are just a few things Tom could easily tackle in his heyday. Even if you didn’t have a problem, he might deem you in need of something: a crate of his garden green beans, a coffee can full of coins, a bag of candy, or a dog he adopted from the pound but left for you. He once gifted a family member a box of turnips because he thought they needed them for dinner. That was their Christmas present that year.
He was as stubborn as two or three mules, but he had a heart of gold for his grandkids. He never missed a birthday party, dinner, or celebration. He would always bring his four grandkids little surprises when they were growing up. He continued that tradition with his six great-grandkids. Tom even ordered custom VHS tapes featuring pictures of his grandkids, edited in as the main characters of each mini-movie. If you saw “Papaw,” you’d leave with at least a dollar or two in your pocket — especially if you hugged him. “That’s worth a dollar right there,” he’d say. He always made sure to keep the candy dish stocked if he knew we were coming.
“I guess,” “So?,” “I reckon,” “If you want to,” “Can’t died in a cornfield,” “Why?,” and all his other sarcastic, dry comments to everything (the man never just said “yes”) will be missed. In fact, if he knew his family had this published, he would say, “Why you doin’ that for?”
He was a simple man. He loved racing cars, reading the newspaper, gardening in the holler, sitting on the porch, ordering veterans’ memorabilia, watching westerns, tinkering in the garage, pestering Mamaw, playing with his dogs, enjoying his family, and serving his country.
He was a tough ol’ bird and fought a good, hard fight. But this old soldier doesn’t have to fight anymore. Our hearts have some peace knowing he’s no longer silently suffering from night terrors, AFIB, Agent Orange, and leukemia. For 84 years, he never once complained about how he felt, but now he doesn’t have to quietly carry such burdens. He is in Jesus’ presence.
Until we meet again, Papaw. Bill Chain holler won’t be the same without you.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Betty Jean Bivens; two sons, Tommy Bivens (Glynnis) and Jon Bivens (Sheila) of Garrison; two sisters, Rita Scribben of Jefferson, Ohio, and Joyce Henderson of Arlington Heights, Illinois; four grandchildren, Blake Bivens (Ashley) of Bluefield, West Virginia, and Annabella Dalton (Mason), Jarrod Bivens (Chloe), and Zander Bivens of Garrison; and six great-grandchildren, Ellie, Elijah, Logan, Ada, Lincoln, and Liliana.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Bivens.
Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Globe Family Funeral Chapel, 103 Dudley Avenue at Garrison, with Bro. Blake Bivens officiating. Burial will follow in Bivens Family Cemetery at Garrison.
Friends may visit after 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Globe Family Funeral Chapel at Garrison.
Military graveside rites will be accorded by Monte Lewis Stamm VFW Post 5438.
Pallbearers will be Jarrod Bivens, Zander Bivens, Dale Bentley, Terry LeMaster, John Collins, and Mason Dalton.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.globefamilyfc.com.
