James William Bishop

James William Bishop, 94, of Canadian, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026 in Canadian.

Services will be 2:00 PM Friday, January 30, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Canadian with Pastor Matt Phenix officiating. Burial will follow in Edith Ford Cemetery in Canadian. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

James was born July 24, 1931 in Sentinal, Oklahoma to Frank and Martha Bishop. He married the love of his life, Lula Belle Hinsley, on May 31, 1951 in Lubbock. They celebrated over 72 years of marriage before she passed away on April 7, 2023. Soon after they married, James enlisted in the US Army. Once he was discharged, they made their way to Canadian in 1973.

James was an old school carpenter; he learned to build homes before the modern-day battery powered equipment. He built many houses over the years and also spent many years working for A&E Mobile Homes. Before he retired, he worked for several years with Andrews Plumbing. James was a hard worker and a skilled craftsman.

He was along time member of First Baptist Church. James enjoyed visiting and helping others. After his retirement he volunteered at Edward Abraham Memorial Home.

When Lula passed away, James was lost. His friend, John Holt, soon started picking him up everyday to go feed the cats at the elevators, feed the ducks at the duck ponds, and then out to the cemetery to visit Lula’s grave. This became a “job” for James, and he continued this until the last month of his life. Spending time traveling around town kept him happy and healthy. He is now reunited with his lovely wife, Lula.

James was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters, Joyce Goolsby, Dorothy Howard, Jeannie Payne, Chloe McGinn, and Pat White; daughters, Patricia Kay Andrews and husband Tommy and Judy Lynn Bishop; grandsons, Michael Heath Bishop and Taylon Chance Stafford; and great granddaughter, Kimberly Rachel Gosset.

Survivors include a daughter, Jamie Lynn Jernigan and husband Mikey of Canadian; three sons, Michael James Bishop of Amarillo, Donald Keith Bishop and life partner Greg Hunter of Dallas, and James Glenn Bishop and best friend Freda Hogue of Amarillo; sister, Anne Flannery; grandchildren, Casandra Kay Spruell and husband Jeff of Amarillo, Wesley Levi Bishop and fiancé Kayla Christmas of Robert Lee, Wyatt Bishop and wife Rachel of Canyon, Bredon James Jernigan of Lubbock, Quinton Mark Jernigan of Lubbock, Breanne Nicole Stafford of Woodward, Oklahoma, Trisha Lynn Booth and boyfriend Xavier of Higgins, Amy Cook of Sherman, Heather Powers of Sherman, Calvin Zachary and wife Nikki of Kingston, Dusty Zachary, and Rachel Zachary; many great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.