Bruce Bishop

Funeral services will be at 3:30 p.m. on Monday for Bruce Bishop, 84, of Southside, who died on Dec. 15, 2017. Pastor Harold Coe will officiate. Burial will be in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Bruce was a Cherokee County High football star recruited by Auburn, but he elected to join the US Air Force to help support his family. He was a decorated wartime veteran of the Korean War. Locally, he coached youth basketball, taught fast pitch softball to Gadsden State Girls Softball Team, played semi-pro baseball, and excelled at men's fast pitch softball, playing into his 60's. He hosted the radio show "Best Fishing Spots". He enjoyed 25 years of retirement which provided the opportunity to become fully involved with his two youngest grandkids, Laney and Colby Bishop, the joy of his life. He was a member of the Green Valley Baptist Church.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Ethel Bishop; brothers, Donald, HL, and George Bishop; sisters, Jo Anne Henson, Melba Clifton, and Carolyn Battles.

He is survived by his wife of 40 plus years, Linda Bishop; children, Peanut, Rickey, and Diane Bishop, and Lisa Spurlock; grandchildren, Colby and Laney Bishop, Patrick, Joseph, and Katy Colvard, Jonathon Spurlock, Jamie Levins, and Jamie and Germaine Lomoton; brothers, Billy, Gary, and Jimmy Bishop; sisters, Rachel Bartlett, Sarah Oliver and Betty Jones.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Thacker, Vance Roberson, Jim Matlock, Michael Bishop, Allen Pike and Winston Henson.

Honorary pallbearers are the breakfast crew of the 278 Restaurant and all former steel workers.

Special thanks to friend and caregiver, Teresa Young and nurses Kelly, Jennifer, and Elizabeth, Dr. Harper, Frances Snell, and Barbara Stiefel.

Visitation will be on Monday at Collier-Butler Funeral Home from noon until 3:30 p.m.