Marion W. "Bill" Bishop, 89, of Dawsonville, died Saturday, July 5, 2008 at Gold City Convalescent Center following a period of declining health.

Mr. Bishop was born in Paulding County. He worked for Lockheed Marietta and then for NASA during the beginning of the space exploration. In 1964 he fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening Bishop's Jewelry in Athens, Ala. He had repaired clocks and watches since he was 13.

After Bill and his wife Ruby retired from the jewelry store he attained a degree from Liberty University in Divinity. He held several positions at Emanuel Baptist Church in Athens and was very active in the community and civic organizations. He sponsored children through World Vision and other mission efforts. A

After Ruby's death he moved back to Georgia and had been living in Dawson County since 1999.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Jo and Tommy Strader of Dawsonville; daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Sam Masters of Madison; stepdaughters and stepsons-in-law, Margaret and Leon Sandlin of Athens, Ala., Dot and Tommy Puckett of Huntsville, Ala.' stepdaughter-in-law, Christy Higgins of Athens, Ala.; grandchildren, Jeff and Deana Kirby, Jason and Pam Masters, Jennifer and Donny Freeman; step-grandchildren, Pam and Dennis Foster, John Higgins and Suzanne Carlisle, Louis and Sandie Lumpkin; seven great-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; two step-great-great-grandchildren; various other relatives also survive.

Memorial services were Sunday, July 6 at 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville. Dr. Jim Gaines and Dr. Herbert Robinson officiated.

In lieu of flowers, donations were requested to be made to the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville Building Fund, P.O. Box 1358, Dawsonville, GA 30534.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.