Clifford William Bishop

Clifford William Bishop entered this world on January 11, 1924 In Fargo, Oklahoma, to Clifford Page and Grace Lawrence Bishop. Reared in Enid, during the Depression, Cliff went to work at age12 to help support his family. It was also in Enid that he met his life’s love, Elaine, under a ping-pong table. Together they shared over 65 years of life. Shortly after they were married, Cliff joined the Army Air Corps (eating bananas in order to make the minimum weight requirement) serving in the European Theater in WWII.

After the War, he returned to Oklahoma to earn his degree in physics and education from Oklahoma A&M (OSU). As his family grew, he became an aerospace representative working with NASA on the Mercury Seven, Gemini and Saturn programs. Eventually he found himself an enrolled actuary and estate planner and it was from this work that he formally retired.

In later years he achieved sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous and began his real life’s work, helping others recover from alcoholism. His efforts were directed almost exclusively at reintroducing that membership to the primary purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous. He lived the last several decades of his life sober, trying to live as God would have him, faithful to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, and in service to its members.

Cliff left this life July 28, 2016 at home. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elaine Keith Bishop and infant son, William Keith Bishop. He is survived by his daughter, Carol Ina Bishop Rutenberg of Arkansas and a son, Clifford Lawrence Bishop of Colorado, three grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and a host of friends and others who loved him dearly.

Services will be held at Monday, August 1st 2016 at Midway Hills Christian Church, 11001, Midway Road, Dallas, TX 75229 at 3:00PM

In lieu of flowers make donations payable to the 24 Hour Club or The Magdalen (“Maggie’s“) House.