David Wilson Bishop

1950 - 2025

David Wilson Bishop

Born: August 12, 1950 | Died: November 17, 2025

A much-loved husband, father and grandfather, David Wilson (D.W.) Bishop, 75, of Dayton, TN went peacefully to be with the Lord on November 17, 2025, while taking a nap at home in his favorite chair. He was born August 12, 1950, in Dayton, TN. He married his soulmate, best friend and loving wife Becky Burton Bishop on June 6, 1970. They have two wonderful children, Michael and Crystal, and four beautiful grandchildren, Alvin, Kyler, Seth and Adalyn. David enjoyed being outdoors, including hunting, farming and evening drives to look for wildlife and see sunsets with his wife and family.

David is a graduate of Rhea Central High School, where he was President of the Rhea County Future Farmers of America in 1967-68. Following high school, he joined the United States Army in 1970, where he was a member of the Army Security Agency and served in the Vietnam War. A true hero, he was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Galanty with Palm and the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars for his acts of valor and heroic conduct. He also received the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Following Vietnam, he served with the Army National Guard until 1976.

He worked as a control room operator at DuPont and was a Nuclear Security Officer at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. He retired from both DuPont and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

David was the steady rock of his family and found joy in spending time with them. He farmed alongside his son Michael and father-in-law, Alvin Burton, for many years, working with cattle and in the hayfields. He enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren about hunting, farming and how to fix just about anything. He treasured taking his family to the Smoky Mountains and the beach. One of his favorite trips was going to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons with his wife Becky and daughter Crystal. He enjoyed football and Tennessee sports. He was proud of all that his children had accomplished in their careers and nothing made him prouder than when his son opened Bishop Realty in Dayton, TN.

Those that will cherish his memory include his wife Becky; son Michael Bishop and his wife Heidi; daughter Crystal Bishop; grandchildren Alvin, Kyler, Seth and Adalyn; sister Shelia (Johnny) Goins and sister-in-law Carolyn Bishop all of Dayton, TN along with several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents Brady and Anna Lucy Bishop; father-in-law and mother-in-law Alvin and Dollie Burton; brother-in-law Connie Mack Burton; sisters Sandra (Nick) Trusley, Agatha (Roger) McCuistion, and Theldon Brady; and brother Lesslie (Carolyn) Bishop.

Funeral services were held on Sunday November 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Coulter Garrison Funeral Home with Dr. Mike Breeden officiating. The family received friends on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until the service hour at the funeral home. A Military burial followed at Lake Drive Cemetery in Sale Creek, TN.

Pallbearers will be Johnathon Burton, Austin Nordyke, Jeremiah McGee, Aaron Howard, Heath Goins and Terry Smith. Honorary Pallbearers will be David's son Michael and grandsons Alvin, Kyler and Seth.