Dr. William Y. “Buddy” Bishop, 80, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away peacefully on March 12th, 2026, in the loving presence of family. Born in Cullman, Alabama, Buddy was the son of Charles Lee Bishop and Sarah Francis Obsborne Bishop and lived in Arab, Alabama through high school. In 7th grade, Buddy met and courted Rosemarie Manor, whom he later married in 1968. Buddy studied Electrical Engineering at Auburn University (Class of 1968) and then later joined the Army where he was stationed in Havre de Grace, Maryland. In 1976, they adopted their only son, Charles, and raised their family in Huntsville, Alabama. Dr. Bishop had a distinguished career within the government sector on projects of national security including the development of the Javelin Missile. In 2006, Buddy earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering at University of Alabama in Huntsville where he remained as a long-time professor.
Dr. Bishop’s commitment and passion for helping others was remarkable. Together Dr. Bishop and his wife participated in many theological, scholarly, philanthropic, and humanitarian efforts to positively impact the world. They tutored local school children, sponsored neighbors in their fundraising efforts, organized adventures with their classmates, and donated to many local and national charitable organizations. Buddy was also a long time Grissom Soccer supporter where Charlie played and later his grandchildren. Finally, the Bishops established the Rosemarie Bishop Endowed Fund for Excellence as well as the Dr. William and Rosemarie Bishop Tutoring Centering at Auburn University in support of young engineers’ higher education pursuits.
Buddy’s leisure pursuits included playing the trombone in the Huntsville Concert Band and keeping up with his grandchildren and the ever-changing weather. Buddy was a voracious reader, skilled photographer, ham radio enthusiast, and world traveler. He was also a proud Mensa member and used his intellect to pose critical humanitarian and theological questions during his Sunday School classes.
Buddy is survived by his son, Charlie Bishop, and daughter-in-law, Meggan Lokken, and his grandchildren, Lauren, Jackson, William and Emma. He was preceded in death by his beloved spouse, Rosemarie Bishop, who passed unexpectedly in 2017.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 4th, 2026, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church located at 12901 Bailey Cove Rd. Huntsville, AL. The Bishop-Lokken family will welcome guests starting at 10:00 a.m.
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