William Russell Bishop, Sr.

AIKEN, SC - William Russell Bishop, Sr., 83 of Aiken, SC, beloved husband of Leona Larsen Bishop of 62 years, passed away on Friday, February 26, 2016 at his residence. Bill was the son of the late Russell Thurman and Maude Johnson Bishop in Union, SC. Survivors in addition to his wife, include three daughters, Sandra Waddell, Denise Collins (Gearl), Shari Bishop (Brannon Galloway), all of Aiken, SC; a son, Rusty Bishop (Vangie) of Modoc, SC; a sister, Marianne West (Mayhew) of Saluda, SC; three granddaughters, Saree Robinson (Patrick) of Warrenville, SC, Allison Coleman (Derrick) of Bath, SC and Danielle Griffin (Phillip) of Graniteville, SC; great-grandchildren, along with many extended family members. Bill lived in Union County until the age of 9 when his family moved to Trenton, SC. He graduated from Trenton High School in June of 1950. He attended one year of college at Clemson before his employment with Miller-Dunn Electric and EI DuPont at the Savannah River Project for 7 years. He worked with Life of Georgia Insurance Company for 2 1/2 years prior to being hired by Owens Corning Fiberglas Corporation on February 8, 1960 to train at the Anderson Plant while the Aiken Plant was being completed for operation. Bill retired after 30 years of service from the Forming Department of OCF on December 30, 1989. Bill retired after serving 22 years with the 122nd Engineer Battalion of the SC National Guard in Edgefield, SC. Bill has been a faithful member of the South Aiken Baptist Church for 54 years. Bill loved the Lord with all of his heart and was a loving, caring and generous husband, father, father-in-law and Papa. He will be truly missed by his family and all who knew him. As an avid sportsman, he enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting, golf, and baseball. He was a strong supporter of Clemson University football and the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. The family will greet friends at the Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home on East Pine Log Road from 6 to 8 PM on Saturday, February 27, 2016. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the South Aiken Baptist Church on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 2 PM. Interment will be at the Sunset Memory Gardens with Military rites. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the South Aiken Baptist Church, 980 Dougherty Road, Aiken, SC 29803 or the National Parkinson Foundation CSRA, 2708 W. Terrace Dr., Augusta, GA 30909 (www.parkinsoncsra.org). The family sincerely appreciates the care and support that was provided by the many care-givers and Tri-County Hospice. SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Russell Bishop, Sr., please visit our flower store.