Emrhys "Bill" Bishop

Emrhys William Bishop (Bill, Dad, Grampy) passed away peacefully in rest on April 4th , 2024.
Born in Dilton Marsh, Wiltshire, England on June 18 th , 1932 to Roland and Alice Bishop, he was
one of ten Bishop siblings. He served in the Royal Army during the Korean War, was a member
of the White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team, and was the landlord of a pub called the
Somerset Arms. After two older siblings had moved to America after the Second World War, he
decided to follow. Upon his arrival in Virginia, he became the lead singer for a band called The
Cruisers. After becoming a Christian, in 1975, he would move his family to Knoxville, TN where
he became a new car sales manager, first at Clayton Lincoln, Beaty Chevrolet, and later Reeder
Chevrolet. On March 21 st , 1984 he became a citizen of the United States of America. After his
retirement from car sales and management, he briefly moved to St. Louis where he innocently
described his job as “delivering drugs” to nursing homes, before returning to Knoxville. He was a
long-standing member of North Knoxville Baptist Church where he sang in the choir and
blessed all with his many angelic solos. He enjoyed driving and being on the road. He loved the
beach and the mountains. He had been to many countries and was a well-versed traveler. He
loved many and was loved by all. He never met a stranger or a child that was not enamored by
his charm.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Wanda Lee Bishop; siblings Lena Self of Virginia, Myra
Chandler, and Gillian (John) Madely of England; four children, David (Hope) Bishop, Vicki
(Randy) Hicks, Bill (Kelly) Sorrell, and Emily (Ricky) Sturk; eight grandchildren: Brandy (Justin)
Ingle, Katie Flemming, Paul Sorrell, Stephanie (Luke) McNutt, Brendan Bishop, LeeAnna (Mike)
Adams, Mason (Madison) Sorrell, and Heaven Sturk; and nine great grandchildren: Leiarah
Gray, Madelyn Ingle, Kahlan Goldberg, Elijah, AnnaBeth and Simon McNutt, Katalina Phillips,
Cheyenne Ingle, and Able Adams. A very heartfelt thank you to his long-time caregivers,
Shannon Summey, Debbie Pressley, and Leah McGhee; also a special thank you to Caris
Hospice of Knoxville, TN.
Family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 10 from 1:00PM-3:00PM at Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City Chapel with a celebration of life service to follow. Officiated by Rev. Allen James. In
lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to go to Seymour Volunteer Fire Dept, PO BOX
241 Seymour, TN 37865. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mynattfh.com