Walter Bivens

Walter Bivens passed peacefully at home in Houston, Texas on April 10, 2020 at the age of 87, surrounded by people who love him very much. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Barbara Louise Higginbotham Bivens and their three sons Mark Bivens of Onalaska, Texas, Steve Bivens and wife Dawn of Richmond, Texas, Scott Bivens and wife Rebecca of Houston, Texas and their daughter, Susan Khoobiar and husband Bill of Tomball, Texas; his sister Mary Ann McDonald of Indianapolis, Indiana and his brother Bobby Bivens of Sherwood, Arkansas; as well as seven grandchildren, Samantha Leverett, Kristin Khoobiar, Brittany Bivens, Kasey Martinez, Brad Bivens, Savannah Bivens and Charlotte Bivens.  He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Bivens and his mother, Vivian Wilson Bivens. 

Walter was born on January 29, 1933 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1950 and attended Little Rock Junior College before receiving a Bachelor’s Degree from Arkansas Polytechnic College in Russellville.  In 1951, while still in Little Rock, Walter and Barbara met and a love began which continues to this day. After they graduated, Walter and Barbara were married inJune, 1954. They lived in the Little Rock area until he was called to active duty in the Army from the National Guard of Arkansas in 1955 and served at First Army Headquarters on Governors Island, New York until 1957.  After being honorably discharged, Walter returned to employment at Maryland Fire and Casualty in Little Rock.  When American General Life Insurance Corporation took over the company, he was asked to transfer to the home office. And so, he moved his young family to Houston in 1964 and worked for American General for 37 years until he retired in 1995.  

Walter was a quiet, gentle man who made a big impact on a lot of people.  He lived his life as a testimony of devotion to his family in his younger years and as a testimony of faithfulness in his later years as he came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  Some words used to describe him are solid, observant, kind, endearing, funny, loyal, determined, a great listener, loving, compassionate, and faithful.  When he was a boy, he loved to be on the river fishing, especially at his Uncle Claude and Aunt Gladys’ houseboat. When his children were young, he loved to be on the ballfield with his boys as the coach of their baseball teams.  And when he was older, he enjoyed spending time with his children, their families and his church family at Calvary Community Church where he served as a deacon.

The funeral service will be held to celebrate Walter’s life at Calvary Community Church on Monday, April 20, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. The family invites you to watch the livestream of this service online at 10:00 am through either of the following channels:
Facebook: @calvaryhouston
YouTube: Calvary Community Church

Interment will follow immediately after the service at Houston National Cemetery. 

In honor of his practice of generosity, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Compassion International as they have sponsored children with that organization for many years or to John and Beverly Atkins’ ministry in Roatan, MissionRevive.com, as they deal with the withdrawal of  tourists from their local economy during this difficult time. 

The family also wishes to thank Chip Beresford of Beresford Funeral Home and Jeff McGee, Senior Pastor at Calvary Community Church for their assistance.