William F. Bishop died December 4, 2014 at his home in North Carolina. He was born Nov. 30, 1932 in Findlay, Ohio to Darl and Gertrude Bishop. He received an A.B. degree in Geology in 1954 from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio where he was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity and was Phi Beta Kappa. After he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 2 years, he returned to Miami and received an M.A. degree in Geology in 1957.
Bishop's major company experience included 10 years in domestic exploration with Marathon and Tenneco, 2 years in Canada and 16 years with international exploration for Ashland. He became an international consultant in 1986. The next year he worked as a subcontractor to Robertson Research International and was the principle author of a report entitled "Petroleum Geology and Hydrocarbon Potential of Iraq". After that, he did basin studies and prospect evaluation in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Angola, Turkey, Iraq and Malta.
He was a prolific author, publishing 14 papers on a variety of subjects. In recognition of the quality of his papers several were republished in the AAPG and one in Foreign Reprint Series 1. His publication efforts have benefitted geologists worldwide.
Bill was also active in professional affairs. He was an AAPG delegate and active in the Houston Geological Society in various capacities, including president 1981-82. For his many innovations and contributions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 1989.
For many years Bill and Julia also lived at their home Broomfields at Round Top, TX where they were engaged in the activities at Winedale, the Round Top Antique Show and the music at Festival Hill.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Julia Evans Bishop and their 3 children: William Sanford Bishop, NC; Sarah Evans Ninaud, Austin, TX and John Nicholas Bishop, Fredericksburg, TX. Bill and Julia have resided in NC since 1999. Donations in Bill's memory may be made to: Ashe Humane Society, P.O. Box 1776, West Jefferson, NC 28694 or Medihome Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 421. Jefferson, NC 28640.