December 18, 1918 – July 5, 2008

Marion W. “Bill” Bishop, 89, of Dawsonville died Saturday July 5, 2008 at Gold City Convalescent Center following a period of declining health.

Mr. Bishop was born in Paulding County.  He worked for Lockheed Marietta and then for NASA during the beginning of the space exploration.  In 1964 he fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening Bishop’s Jewelry in Athens, Alabama.  He had repaired clocks and watches since he was thirteen.  After Bill and his wife Ruby retired from the jewelry store he attained a degree from Liberty University in Divinity.  He held several positions at Emanuel Baptist Church in Athens and was very active in the community and civic organizations.  He sponsored children through World Vision and other mission efforts.  After Ruby’s death he moved back to Georgia and had been living in Dawson County since 1999.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville.

Surviving are his daughter and son in law, Jo and Tommy Strader, Dawsonville; daughter and son in law, Jean and Sam Masters, Madison; step daughters and step sons in law, Margaret and Leon Sandlin, Athens, AL, Dot and Tommy Puckett, Huntsville, AL; step daughter in law, Christy Higgins, Athens, AL; grandchildren, Jeff and Deana Kirby, Jason and Pam Masters, Jennifer and Donny Freeman; step grandchildren, Pam and Dennis Foster, John Higgins and Suzzanne Carlisle, Louis and Sandie Lumpkin, seven great grandchildren, six step great grandchildren, two step great great grandchildren.

Memorial services were held Sunday July 6, 2008 at 4 o’clock at the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville. Dr. Jim Gaines and Dr. Herbert Robinson will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville Building Fund, P. O. Box 1358, Dawsonville, GA  30534.

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.