Carroll Ray Bishop

Carroll Ray Bishop of Marble Falls, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 24, 2023. Carroll was born October 29, 1934 “5 miles East” of Altus, OK to Tillit Ferrell Bishop and Ethel Campbell Bishop . After graduating from Duncan High School in 1952, Carroll went on to study Business at Abilene Christian College (now University). He graduated with a BS degree in 1956 and after a stint in the US Army–as a morse code specialist–took his first “real” job at Halliburton in Duncan, OK in 1958 as an accountant. While still stationed at Fort Walters, Carroll started dating Shirlene Hensley, whom he had a few dates with in college. He regularly hitch-hiked to see her on weekends and when he had leaves. They were married at Northside Church of Christ in Fort Worth, TX in 1958 and went on to have two children, Cynthia (’60) and Victor (’64). You can’t say Carroll without Shirlene and they were married for almost 65 years. Carroll worked many jobs throughout his early life and reported that he didn’t particularly like any of them–although he definitely enjoyed his coworkers at his later jobs with Eastern European Missions, Turnkey Computer Systems, Coca Cola. (Due to the high number of jobs and places lived, this obit will focus on a few highlights.) He retired from his first career with the IRS in 1970 in Amarillo, TX, where he worked as a special agent all over the country. He was issued a Smith and Wesson revolver and a set of handcuffs as standard equipment and achieved Expert Marksman designation. He spent most of his time there at a desk, but, did share a few stories of the “enforcement” side, including prosecuting offenders, guarding VIPs, including Presidents Johnson and Nixon. In 1972, Carroll moved to Vienna, Austria as a missionary with Eastern European Missions to help in the work founded by his brother-in-law and best friend, along with several of his other “best friends.” During this time, Carroll also spent a year in South Dakota and worked the Hensley grandparents’ farm and ranch before returning to Austria where he worked for Coca Cola as an office manager to support his mission work. Carroll moved the family back to Amarillo in 1978 and lived there until 1998 when he retired from PanTex. Following that retirement, he moved to Marble Falls, TX to help care for his in-laws. He eventually took a “retired job” at Johnson Sewell Ford and loved driving, working around cars–and, especially, the camaradarie shared with fellow drivers. Carroll was predeceased by his parents, Tillit and Ethel Bishop; father and mother-in-law, EC and Martha Hensley and his brother-in-law, Gwen Hensley, who was also his best friend. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirlene Bishop of Marble Falls; children, Cynthia Bishop of Austin; Victor Bishop and his wife Stacy of Austin; brother Jack Bishop and wife Ann of Duncan; in-laws, Ed and Gayle Cole of Marble Falls; his grandchild, Jordan Bailey of Austin; nieces and nephews, Hollye Hensley Conway and husband Larry of Nairobi, Kenya, Ginger Jarrett and husband Keenan of Duncan, Sam Bishop of Oklahoma City; Heidee Hensley Whitaker and husband Lee of Knoxville, TN; Trent Bishop and wife Lori of Lewisville, TX; Greg Hensley and wife Jennifer of Olathe, KS. Carroll also loved his many great nieces and nephews as if they were grandchildren. He graduated from Abilene Christian College in 1956 with a Business degree and was a numbers and organizational genius. Carroll lived his life devoted to church and family and spent countless hours helping others. He served as a song leader, deacon, led mission committees and also served on the board at Amarillo Christian Homes. Most of his service was spent leading from behind. He never said “no” to a good cause. He had a an extreme sense of right and wrong and stood, stubbornly for his beliefs. He loved music, had a beautiful tenor/baritone vocal range, yet could sing any part. He loved to sing hymns–especially those written by his great uncle–Tillit S. Teddlie, who wrote hundreds of published hymns. Despite being a man of few words, he had a wicked sense of humor and if you were lucky and listening–he would actually share deep and wise thoughts. He really enjoyed watching (American) football–especially the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns. Memorial Service: 2PM September 10th Marble Falls Church of Christ 711 Broadway St Marble Falls, TX 78654 In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Conways INCREDIBLE work with the “least of these” souls in Kenya or to Eastern European Missions. Larry and Hollye Conway Missions c/o S 11th & Willis Church of Christ 3309 South 11th Street Abilene, Texas 79605 Eastern European Mission https://www.eem.org/hope/

Carroll Ray Bishop

October 29, 1934 - August 24, 2023