Wilma "Willie" May Bishop Obituary (1936 - 2016)

Wilma May Francis Wickam Bishop, of Baker City, Oregon. On December 19, 2016 the Lord decided it was time to call one of His angel's home. Her beautiful mother Verna and her hero, her father Roy, welcomed her home to heaven. 'Willie', as she was known to her family and friends, was born in Baker Oregon to Roy R. and Verna E. Francis on April 28, 1936. She was raised at the family ranch outside of Baker. Her brother Dell Francis joined the family two years later. She attended Baker High School and graduated in 1954. Living with a high sense of adventure Wilma resided in many places including Baker, Beaverton, Milwaukie and La Grande Oregon then to Litchfield Illinois and back to Oregon living in Silverton, Salem and settling in Baker City. She traveled to Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Idaho, Washington and California; then as a long-haul truck driver, with her husband Bill, she set foot in 48 of the 50 states. She also worked as an EMT and a police dispatcher in La Grande in the 1970's and when living in Illinois ran her own laundromat business. One of Wilma's great passions was her love of God and serving alongside her husband Reverend William Bishop. She served at the Silverton Church of God as his partner in the ministry; young women took to her almost as a mother figure. The love Bill and Wilma had for each other was witnessed by everyone they met. She was a member of the Methodist church the last 11 years. Of all Wilma's life achievements and adventures, none was she more proud of than the love she had for her four beautiful daughters, Lawanna, Lalonni, Lalessa and Laletta. When she spoke of them, love flowed from every word. She taught them to live with faith, passion, forgiveness, and unbridled love. She mixed in some grit, toughness and self-sufficient independence that only a child of an Oregon Trail pioneer could give. Though the loss she leaves behind cannot be measured, the love she gave as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend will live on for generations. She is survived by her husband of 36 years William 'Bill' Bishop of Baker City, Oregon; brother Dell Francis, of Baker City, Oregon; daughter Lawanna L Wickam of La Grande, Oregon; daughter Lalonni L Haggerty and husband Kelly of La Grande, Oregon; daughter Lalessa L Wyatt and husband Jim of Acworth, Georgia; daughter Laletta L Benner and husband Archie of Pocatello, Idaho. Along with 22 grandchildren and their spouses, 13 great-grandchildren, many step-children and their families, 2 nieces and their families, and numerous people throughout the years she considered "family". Wilma will be celebrated with a graveside service at 1 PM on April 29, 2017 at Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City. Following at 2 PM family and friends will have fellowship and food at the Baker United Methodist Church. Should friends and family desire, contributions may be made in honor of Wilma to the Parkinson's Foundation through Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel at 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.