Obituaries

William J. Bishop, age 79, of 715 Lansing Station Road, Lansing, NY, slipped away peacefully, surrounded by family members, on Thursday, December 21, 2006 at his home. He was born in Buffalo, NY to the late William and Marion Ferguson Bishop of Newfield, formally from Ithaca, Ludlowville and Hamburg. He graduated from Hamburg High School. He came to Ithaca to work at Cayuga Motors as a parts man, and then bought a Snap-On dealership in 1952 covering Ithaca and Cortland areas until 1965. He then formed his own business of Finger Lakes Tools until he retired in 1999.

He was a charter member of the Finger Lakes Racing Assoc. and was the starter/flagman at the stockcar races at Chemung, Dryden, and Glen Aubrey race tracks from 1949 to 1956. He was an avid NASCAR fan and watched the races as well as pro football every Sunday on TV. He was instrumental in organizing the Ludlowville Almeda Ambulance Service when the fireman bought a 1937 Cadillac Ambulance. He was a member of the Lansing Methodist Church. He loved golf and for 15 years went to Myrtle Beach with his friends. He was also an avid deer hunter with his friends at the Todd farm in Lansing. For years he had and maintained a boat for water skiing with his children, grandchildren, and many friends, and thoroughly enjoyed fun ski trips with close friends and family.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Jeanne Nobles Bishop, daughter Connie (Clayt) Mabry of King Ferry, son Scott (Karen) Bishop of Lansing, daughter Linda (Tom) Kick of Dublin, OH, and Diane (Michael) Smith of Colchester, Vt. Also eight grandchildren: Kristin, Nathan and Kevin Mabry, Christopher and Patrick Bishop, Laura and Daniel Kick, and Leah Smith, all of whom he loved very much. His jokes were always fun and his advice was to help everyone do better and be successful. He always had a project in the works with another in his mind to do, when one was completed. He enjoyed spending winters in Florida from 1997 to 2005.

If one desires, memorials may be directed to Hospicare, 172 E. King Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 or the Lansing Methodist Church, 34 Brick Yard Rd., Lansing, NY 14882.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service, officiated by Pastor William Gottschalk-Fielding will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, December 30, 2006 at the Lansing Methodist Church, followed by a reception to visit with the family at the church. Lansing Funeral Home, 32 Auburn Road, Lansing, NY is assisting the family with arrangements.