Benjamin Ben Walter Bishop

Published 2:05 am Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Dec. 15, 1943 – Jan. 5, 2014

Our dad was an intelligent, generous and caring man of good will and kindness. He loved his family and will be greatly missed, especially during all of the holidays.

Ben quietly passed away January 5, 2014. Two weeks earlier, his 70th birthday party celebration gave him much joy and affirmation.

Born in Ada, OK, Ben and his family moved to Salem, OR when he was 4. He attended Pringle Elementary school and Leslie and Judson Jr. High School, and graduated from South Salem High School in 1962.

He enlisted in the Army in 1964 and served as a Military Policeman for 3 years with stints in South Korea and Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1966. Ben was a 25-year member of the American Legion.

Ben attended Oregon State University and graduated from Chemeketa Community College in 1977 with an A.S. in Forest Technology. In 1978 Ben was hired as an Engineering Aide with the State of Oregon Water Resources Department. He transferred to the Bend field office in 1988 and was promoted to Field Water Right Technician in 1993. Ben retired in November 2002 after 24 years of service.

Ben married Marilyne (Bible) Bishop January 17, 1969. Marilyne provided the loving family with three wonderful daughters, Lisa (Greg) Hickman of Salem, Laura (Steve) Hickson of Albany, and Michelle (John) Janes of Willamina. The nine grandchildren to whom they have been blessed gave Ben much joy.

Ben had great pride in his brothers and sisters, and found much comfort in their caring and nurturing affection. He loved his parents, William Jesse Bishop Sr. and Francis Agnus Bishop, and was especially close to his mother.

He is survived by sisters, Juanita (Dan) Heiken, Betty (Ken) Moore, Beverly (Bob) Flood, Mary Jane (Ron) Doan; brother, Milton (Janet) Bishop; and sister- in-law, Bernie Bishop.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William “Bill” Jesse Bishop Jr.; and grandson, Brandon Wayne Hickson.

A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. Friday, January 17 at Calvary Baptist Church in Salem Oregon. In lieu of flowers, Ben would be honored to have donations made to the Humane Society or the Veterans War Memorial.