In Memory of William "Bill" J. Bishop, 793rd Military Police Battalion

William "Bill" J. Bishop, 89, of Allegan and Kalamazoo, MI died peacefully on April 7, 2013, at the Wings Home - Hospice, in Allegan. He was born in Allegan, MI on January 31, 1924, the son of Carl Wm Bishop and Mizpah Marcella (VanKeuren) Bishop.

He attended Kalamazoo Central High School until the outbreak of World War II. After his enlistment, he trained at Camp Maxey, TX as part of the 793rd Military Police Battalion. He was then deployed to the European front performing port security in Antwerp Belgium and Marseilles, France.

After three years, he returned to Michigan to be with his wife, Virginia (Nuyen) Bishop. Bill worked at Kelley Ink Company in Kalamazoo for many years and finished his working career with Rockwell Corporation in Allegan. While living in Kalamazoo, he was part of the charter organizers of the Westwood Little League and was an active member of that organization. Bill (or as he liked to be known as "Wild" Bill) loved to hunt and fish.

He was a devoted father spending endless hours with his four children. Among his "favorite" things to do was going out for breakfast and kidding with the waitresses that served him. Bill is survived by two sons Roger (Virginia) Bishop, Larry (Judy) Bishop; two daughters, Janet Westcott and Diane (Paul) Bartz. He also leaves behind his life partner of many years, Patti Oram; brother, Frank (Virgil) Bishop, Julia Blair, and Patricia Getty. He was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Llewellyn. Bill was the proud grandfather of ten children and great-grandfather of five, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held at the Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, 528 Trowbridge Street, Allegan, MI on Saturday, April 13, 2013. A visitation will be held by his children starting at 10 AM followed by a Memorial Service at 11 AM. A private military inurnment will be conducted at Fort Custer in Battle Creek, MI. Anyone wishing to make a contribution in lieu of flowers can do so through donations to the Disabled Veterans Association and/or the Wings Home (www.wingshome.org).