ROCK HILL, SC – Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Young Bishop, age 91, died August 29, 2026. Born in Brighton, Alabama, he was the son of the late William S. and Mary H. Bishop. He grew up in Bessemer, Alabama and attended Auburn University before entering the Air Force.
Colonel Bishop was a firm believer that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Savior. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Rock Hill. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force in 1975. His military decorations include the Bronze Star Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Office Of The Secretary Of Defense Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Good Conduct Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with one star, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Award and the Vietnam Service Medal with three stars. He held the aeronautical rating of Command Navigator. Of all his accomplishments earned during his Air Force career, he considered the honor of commissioning his grandson, Joshua Alexander Duckett, into the United States Air Force the greatest, above all others.
He graduated from Bessemer High School in Bessemer, Alabama in 1952. He attended Auburn University before entering the Air Force in 1954 as an Aviation Cadet. He earned his Navigator rating and was commissioned as an Air Force officer in 1955 and was assigned to Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina.
He served the seven years as a Navigator with the Military Air Transport Service with tours of duty at Charleston AFB, South Carolina and Hickam AFB, Hawaii. In 1962, the Air Force assigned him to the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, for three years where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Engineering Degree. For the remainder of his duty in the Air Force he served on the engineering staffs for the Base Engineer, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, for the Deputy Chief of Staff, Civil Engineering, Headquarters, Seventh Air Force, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, for the Deputy Chief of Staff, Civil Engineering, Headquarters, Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base Texas, and for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Installations and Logistics, Pentagon, Washington, DC. In 1973 he was assigned as the Director, Engineering Division, Headquarters, Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, He remained in this position until his retirement in 1975.
After retirement from the Air Force, Col. Bishop worked as an Industrial Engineer for the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Norfolk, VA, Ingalls Shipbuilding Company, Pascagoula, MS and Newport News Shipbuilding Company, Newport News, Virginia. While working at Newport News, he was certified as a Robotics Engineer and was instrumental in the implementation of one of the first operational robots to be used by the shipyard to manufacture parts for use in production of ships for the U.S. Navy.
He is survived by his two children, Kathy Jo Duckett (Scott) of Raleigh, NC and Kerry Alexander Bishop of Greenbackville, VA. He was predeceased by his son, Kevin Johns Bishop. He was blessed with five grandchildren; Kara Joy McLendon (Christopher), Joshua Alexander Duckett (Ashley), Gabrielle Marie Bishop-Tull (William), Rachael Cecelia Davis (Morgan), and Jenilee Hope DiCristina (Ryan). He was also blessed with 12 great grandchildren.
In 1991, God blessed Alex with a new companion and help-mate. He and Joan Love Bishop were married in February 1991. Together they also loved and encouraged her children, Michael Love (Karen Renee) and Steven Love, both of Rock Hill, SC and Joan’s three grandchildren, Emily Love Stamey (Don), Hunter Love (Laycee) and Dylan; and two great-grandchildren.
Colonel Bishop was predeceased by his wife of 33 years, Mary Marie Bishop; sisters, Edith Pate (Dan), and Helen Bishop Reese (Al), and his brother, William Stewart Bishop (Betty).
Colonel Bishop was known for his love, dedication and service to his Country. His prayer was that his public and private life would be a reflection on his Savior and would serve as a legacy to his children and for all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732. Visitation prior from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. A private family interment with full military honors will follow the service.
The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Ebenezer Road (Senior Living) for the outstanding compassion and care provided Alex since October 2024.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 481 Hood Center Road, Rock Hill SC 29730-9059.
Condolences may be made at www.greenefuneralhome.net.