W.H. “Bill” Bishop, 76, a 43-year resident of Des Plaines, retired in 1990 as a technician after 30 years in the Des Plaines switching office of the former Centel Corp. Mr. Bishop was previously owner and operator of Bill’s Painting and Decorating in Antigo, Wis., and later Des Plaines. Mr. Bishop, who was born in Antigo, died Tuesday, Feb. 13, in his home while suffering from pancreatic cancer. During World War II, Mr. Bishop served as a medic with the Army under the command of Gen. George S. Patton in the Battle of the Bulge and elsewhere in Europe. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, among other decorations. Mr. Bishop served as a neighborhood commissioner for Boy Scouts of America in Antigo during the 1950s. “He was a much-loved man,” said his wife of 54 years, Norma W. “He made a mark. He worked for Habitat for Humanity. He worked for his church. I tell newlyweds that if they have a marriage half as good as mine, they will have a good marriage.” Other survivors include two sons, David and Steven A.; two daughters, Kristine R. Hoffman and Amy S. Kennedy Johnson;two brothers, Robert and Arthur; two sisters, Delores O’Malley and Lorraine Burt; and six grandchildren. A memorial visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, when a memorial service will begin in Trinity United Methodist Church, 605 W. Golf Rd., Mt. Prospect.
