WILLIAM MCKINLEY BISHOP was born in Washington, DC, on 16 June 1933, the son of Louis and Elizabeth Bishop. His mother, Elizabeth, of Boca Raton, Florida, and two brothers, John C. Bishop of Williamsburg, Virginia and Edward L. P. Bishop (USMA 1953) of Boca Raton, survive him. As a child he lived in Virginia; Florida; Pasadena, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Lake Placid, New York. Upon graduation from Lake Placid High School, he attended Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York for two years (where he was in Delta Kappa Epsilon) before receiving his appointment to the Military Academy.

Bill played hockey and lacrosse at West Point. He was in Company C-1. He chose a life in the "gray flannel Army" and went to work for Exxon Chemical Company in 1960 as a salesman in New York City.

Over the years Bill was transferred to Houston, Texas; Baytown, Texas; and New York City, until he reached the position of worldwide vice-president of Exxon Chemical Company in 1979. He remained at that level, traveling and having responsibilities all over the world, until his retirement in 1989 due to cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Gayle Stein of Austin, Texas, whom he dated for four years while at the Academy. Gayle lives in the home they built on Lake Austin for their retirement. He is also survived by son, John E. Bishop of Houston; daughters, Cindy L. Jones of San Antonio, Texas and Wendy B. Easton of Missouri City, Texas; and grandchildren, John and Elizabeth Bishop, Brittany and Austin Jones, and Emily, Erick and Elliot Easton.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman, he had an exceptional sense of humor, and was respected by everyone in the chemical industry. He is greatly missed by his family and friends.

Bill treasured his four years at West Point.