William Leo (Billy) Bishop

Mr. William Leo (Billy) Bishop, age 76 of Whiteville, Tennessee, passed away Monday, January 12, 2015 at his home.

The husband of Ruth Cates Bishop, who survives, he was employed as a lineman and groundman with Southwest Tennessee Electric for 42 years. He was born Tuesday, October 18, 1938 in Whiteville, son of the late Leo and Bertha Haase Bishop and lived all of his life in Hardeman County. On October 21, 1959, he was united in marriage to Ruth Cates, a union that lasted 55 years. An avid Cardinals fan, he also enjoyed cutting down trees and served his country 8 years in the National Guard. His family states that he dearly loved his family, working in his garden and had a deep love for God and his church family. Mr. Bishop was a member of Mt. Tabor Primitive Baptist Church.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons and their wives, Tony Lynn Bishop (Susan) of Olive Branch, MS and Timothy Wayne Bishop (Jennifer) of Somerville; four sisters, Elizabeth Campbell of Jackson, Louise Murphy of Martin, Carolyn Duncan of Brownsville and Linda Vawter of Jackson; four brothers, Carl Bishop of Moore, OK, Joe Bishop of Bruceton, David Bishop of Bolivar and Bert Bishop of Bolivar; and 3 grandchildren, Amanda, Zoe and Alizah. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Julius Bishop and a grandson, Timothy Wayne Bishop, Jr. in 2010.