Jerry Robert "J.B." Bishop Jr.

The angel we knew as Jerry Robert "J.B." Bishop Jr, beloved husband of Jacqueline Belle Thornhill Bishop, finished his earthly journey of faith on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at his home in Simpsonville SC.
He was born on March 3, 1947 in Spartanburg, SC, a son of the late Jerry Robert and Mary Sue Smith Bishop.
Jerry was a graduate of Spartanburg High School, Class of 1965, and then went on to serve 27 honorable years in the United States Air Force, where he retired in 1991, as a Master Sergeant.
Although he was a man of few words, his servant's heart not only shone throughout his service to our country, but also to his church family at Rocky Creek Baptist Church, where he was a former Deacon and Sunday school teacher. When he was a young teenager, he received his private pilot's license two weeks before he received his driver's license. He also played bass guitar with The Marshal Tucker Band when they were playing in local Spartanburg venues when they were known as the RANTS.
In addition to his wife of 54 years, Jerry is also survived by his son, Todd and Michelle Bishop, of Odenton, MD; three daughters and their spouses, Robin and Rey Branton, of Myrtle Beach SC, Christi and Todd Williams of Merritt Island, FL and Terri Sue and Edward Neiswonger of Dalzell, SC; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom and Deborah Bishop of Alabama and Jack and Carol Bishop of Spartanburg, SC.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 9 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Southeast with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel. Burial, with full United States Air Force Military honors in M.J. "Dolly" Cooper Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gold In Fight, to fight childhood cancer.
Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of J.B. with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory".