COLUMBUS
William Keith “Billy” Bishop, 59, of Columbus, passed away at 11:55 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus surrounded by his loved ones.
Born October 15, 1964, at Kings Daughter’s Hospital in Madison, he was the son of the late Edgar Keith and Mary Anne (Ackerman) Bishop. He married the love of his life, Erika Spachtholz, on October 4, 1997, in Columbus; she survives.
Billy was a 1983 graduate of Jennings County High School and worked as an HVAC Service Technician for Dunlap before retiring. He had previously worked for Starks Mechanical and Murphy Electric. Billy was a member of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local #440. He enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, giving of his time, and helping others. Billy continued to do so even in death with his gift of organ donation.
Surviving with his spouse, Erika, are his daughters, Emma (Cameron Schneider) Bishop of Westport and Lydia Spachtholz-Bishop of Columbus; brother, John Bishop of Seymour; sisters, Theresa (Bill) Browning of San Jacinto and Kate (Chris) Webster of North Vernon; grandchildren, Carsen Schneider and Lane Schneider of Westport; and many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Dee Dee Bishop, Bo Bishop, Amy Ponsler, and Libby Murphy; and “The King of Cool”, his Dachshund, Oscar.
A celebration of life for Billy will be conducted at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at the Dove-Sharp &Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North Vernon. The visitation for family and friends will be on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. A private burial will be held in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.
Memorials may be made in honor of Billy through the funeral home to CMTA (Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association.)
