Leighton William Bishop

January 27, 2026, Leighton William Bishop, a devoted father, cherished “Pop-Pop, died at his home in Arden, North Carolina after numerous years of illness. He was 81 years old.

In 2016 after the heartbreaking death of his doting second wife Joann Hamilton (Iaquinto) Bishop, he surrounded himself with his children: Leighton, Katherine, and Macile. Following the onset of the COVID pandemic in the summer of 2020, Leighton left his Ellenton, FL home of 11 years and settled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There, he took in the scenery, fished the French Broad River and Lake Powhatan, restored family heirlooms, and shared captivating stories and life lessons to anyone who would listen.

Leighton was born at Samaritan Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, to his saintly mother, Vivian Kathryn (Boyle) Bishop, and his father, Leighton Eugene Bishop—a U.S. Navy WWII sailor. He grew up in Richmond and Norfolk (Bayview), Virginia. A standout athlete, he excelled in football, baseball, wrestling, and gymnastics.

The middle son of three boys, he idolized his older brother, Robert “Bobby” Eugene Bishop, whom he called “My Hero,” and proudly boasted about his younger brother, Lester Francis Bishop. He also held deep affection for his favorite cousin Frankie Peterson.

In his teenage years seeking adventure and avoiding discipline from his father, he ran away and hitchhiked all the way to the hills of Ohio. There, he was mentored by Mr. Wilson, a commander from a bygone war, in which he learned philosophy, classics, poetry, and to work hard—like a man—cattle farming.

In September 1964, he enlisted in the U.S. Army before Uncle Sam could draft him. Scoring exceptionally, he trained in electronics and communications in Germany, a country he loved to reminisce about. Recommended for Officer Candidate School, he declined to deploy with his brothers-in-arms to Vietnam.

In 1966, Leighton served Headquarters Company 3rd Brigade 1st Calvary Division(Airborne) where he set up and maintained communications. At only 22 years old, he was promoted to sergeant. Thanks to his God-given athleticism, leadership, and guardian angel he survived what he called, “Hell On Earth”. Serving his term, he was highly decorated including receiving the honorable bronze star.

Leighton received most of his Sacraments at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Norfolk, Virginia, including a marriage blessing to his childhood sweetheart, Priscilla Barhydt, on December 21, 1968. In 1970, they welcomed three children in one year. A loyal husband, he never hung out with the guys after work, went straight home and threw himself into raising his kids. Though the marriage ended in 1988 despite his efforts to preserve the sacred bond, he remained committed to his children.

In 1992, he married his “Lovely” Joann, embracing her children and grandchildren, they created joyful blended-family traditions: annual Palm Sunday Easter egg hunts, Christmas Eve feasts, and holiday weekends camping in Williamsburg.

He proudly served as a civilian electrician with the Department of the Navy, where he took particular pride in teaching and mentoring apprentices under his guidance. After 30 years of dedicated service, he retired.

Leighton lived modestly, detached from material things, finding true joy in God’s simple gifts of nature, family, and friends. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

He was predeceased by his parents, Leighton Eugene and Vivian Kathryn Bishop; his wives, Priscilla Belle Bishop and Joann Bishop; his brother Robert Bishop; sister-in-law Linda Bishop (Lester); and stepdaughter Belinda Yaremko (Hamilton).

He is survived by his brother Lester Bishop; his three children, Leighton William Bishop II, Katherine Maye Bishop, and Macile June Bishop; his stepchildren, Tim and Janea Hamilton, Chuck Hamilton, and Judy (Hamilton) and Steve Reed; his grandchildren, Courtney Cando (Bishop), Brandon Pauley, Matthew Pearson, Nicole Foley, Brooke Bishop, Katherine Kulakova (Cooper), Rachel Falkner, Benjamin Falkner, Violet Falkner, and Juliette Vasquez; step-grandchildren Jeremy Curling, TJ and Katie Hamilton, Jenny Hamilton, Rebecca Reed; and 17 great-grandchildren (and counting).

A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St. Edmund Campion Catholic Church on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. 1222 W Blue Ridge Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731

Celebrant: Rev. Joshua D. Johnson, parish priest

Rite of Committal
Leighton will be laid to rest in the Rite of Committal on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 962 Old US Hwy 70, Black Mountain, NC 28711. Military honors will be provided at the cemetery. We invite all family and friends to join us.