George D. Bishop

George David Bishop, 86, of Manhattan, died Thursday, December 22nd, at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community Sloan House. George was born in Manhattan, on June 2, 1930, the son of the late Everett and Bernice Marie (Hays) Bishop. He lived in the area for all but nine years of his life. George began school at the Rocky Ford School, attended Bluemont Elementary and graduated from Manhattan High School in 1948. He received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University in 1953. He was commissioned as a Second Lt. from the KSU - ROTC program, serving in the U.S. Air Force as a First Lieutenant stationed in both Korea and Japan. He received the Arnold Air Society award as Distinguished Graduate from ROTC and was also a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and Alpha Kappa Phi Business Honor Society while at KSU. Following his graduation, he began a New York Life Insurance agency in Manhattan, serving in that capacity for 26 years. He later worked as a broker for several other insurance companies. He was a former member of the Pearce-Keller Post No. 17 and the VFW Post 1786, Lafayette Masonic Lodge #17 all of Manhattan and the Scottish Rite, and the Isis Shrine both of Salina. He also attended the College Avenue United Methodist Church. George was united in marriage to Mary Jo Thayer on June 10, 1951 at the All Faiths Chapel on the campus of KSU, they were later divorced and she preceded him in death. He also married Bobbi Jean Sill and they were later divorced and she preceded him in death. In the later years, he and Shirley Green were long time companions. Those that knew George, appreciated his great sense of humor and enjoyed his stories. He loved his hometown of Manhattan and was forever true to his K-State Wildcats but his most cherished time was spent with his family. Survivors include his two daughters, Brenda Williams, of Manhattan; Becky Blake (Richard), of Manhattan; a son, Bill Bishop, of Manhattan; a sister, Laura Better, of Baltimore, Maryland; a brother, Jack Bishop, of Atchison, Kansas; 4 grandchildren, Wendy Munson (Ryan), Erin Briggs (Scott), Amber Warner (Kyle) and Andrew Blake (Sarah); 5 great grandchildren, Jack and Grace Munson, Blake and Bryce Warner and Barrett Blake. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters Doris Winifred Bishop and Mary Ann Crissman. Cremation has taken place and honoring his wishes, a private service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children and may be sent in care of the funeral home. For more information, to send an online condolence or a gift visit the funeral home website at irvinparkview.com. The family has entrusted the arrangements to Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home & Cremation.