Remembering Betty Bishop

Hillsboro, Greenfield and all of Highland County lost a titan in public and community service this week. Betty Bishop passed away Monday, Dec. 5 at her home in Hillsboro. She was 84.

My earliest memories of Betty were from my time spent at the Hillsboro baseball park, now known as Richard Shaffer Park, in the 1970s or early '80s.

I remember thinking it odd that Betty was a Little League baseball coach. She knew her stuff, too. She had good teams that played solid fundamental baseball. Like everything she did, Betty took the managerial responsibilities seriously.

A few years after my family moved to Hillsboro in 1977, I knew Betty as the mayor of the city. One time, I recall she knocked on our door on East Walnut Street and asked questions about changing the on-street parking from the south side (our side) to the north side.

As I recall, I told her I really didn't care. (Later, my dad clarified that position to report that he DID care.) The on-street parking remained on the south side – as it does to this day.

But imagine that: A sitting mayor walking door to door to canvass residents regarding an issue that may impact different families in different ways. That was Betty – on more issues than I can remember. She also routinely stopped by Hillsboro's local businesses and asked owners if there were any issues she needed to address.

Not long ago, Betty stopped by The Highland County Press to reminisce just a bit. She talked about the time many years ago when there had been a murder in the community, and there was concern over potential violence by people from Dayton who wanted to escalate things. Betty said she went to the homes of the victim's family members and prayed with the families and asked for peace. Peace was maintained, and justice was eventually served.

In the 1990s, I had my first of many working relationships with Betty. They were always good. If I needed something, all I had to do was let her know. It was taken care of without debate.

Through the years, I'd taken many photos of Betty, either signing proclamations or at city council meetings. One photo that I wished I'd saved was taken maybe 25 or 30 years. Betty and former Hillsboro Safety and Safety Service Director Kelly Shelton were watching the first gallons of water pouring into the then-new city reservoir.

The three of us were standing on the far side away from the ever-rising water. All of a sudden – and to Kelly's and my surprise – Betty started climbing down the stone wall and walked toward the water intake. Kelly and I followed. Keep in mind, Betty was wearing knee-high rubber boots.

Kelly and I were wearing leather dress shoes. After walking maybe 100 or 200 feet, I could see that I was going to start sinking in mud. I stopped and took a few photos of Betty and Kelly. A few moments later, Kelly was in over his shoes. Betty was fine. Later, she said she was just checking things out. Kelly just shook his head and cleaned his dress shoes. I think Betty and Kelly, who passed away last year, worked together for 15 years. They were always affable and accessible. Just great public servants who understood who they served.

After Betty decided four terms as mayor were enough, and I'd moved on to West Union for one four-year term as publisher, I figured Betty and I would not see much of each other again. Wrong!

I returned to Highland County, and Betty returned to public office. In 2009, the year I purchased The Highland County Press from William Latham, Betty was named city manager of Greenfield. This made Betty the first woman to be mayor of Hillsboro and the first woman be to city manager of Greenfield. For the next four years, we were in regular contact once again. During this same time frame, Betty and my son, Colin, just happened to celebrate commencement together at Southern State Community College. (I do still have that photo.)

Late this summer, Betty stopped by my office to say hello, to say thank you and to offer her encouragement for my staff to "keep doing what you are doing."

I had no idea this would be our final conversation. It was so reminiscent of my last conversation with my dear friend SSCC Professor Bill Horne.

This was a few months after Betty publicly acknowledged her battle with cancer from October 2021-April 2022.

In April this year, Betty wrote:

"I want to thank my family, church family, friends, neighbors and my community for the many prayers, cards, phone calls and food which I received during my recent illness. I have always had a deep faith in God and through all of this, I have asked Him to guide me all the way. I have been reminded over and over again of the greatness of God. Not my will, but His. He was my God before all this started, and He will be my God throughout Eternity. Again, thank you all."

When the Turner and Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro posted Betty's obituary on its website today, one of the first comments I read was from John Glaze. Betty and John were inducted together this year in the Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame.

Here are John's words:

"So many memories of Betty going back to when she was married to Patrolman Sanders, some 60 years ago. Probably the most dear memory is that Betty was a Christian Lady, through and through. You knew it from the moment you met her and I never saw her fail at demonstrating her faith in God's promises. She lived it every day of her life and at the end, it was the most important thing in her life. Well done, good and faithful servant. May you rest in peace and rise in glory!"

Amen.

"Highland County lost a vital member of our community with the passing of Betty Bishop," Highland County Democratic Party Chair Dinah Phillips said. "Betty dedicated her life to serving the people of Hillsboro on city council and as mayor. Her focus was always on how she could grow the city and make it more vital. Not only did Hillsboro benefit by her wisdom and expertise in city matters, she was an excellent city manager for the city of Greenfield.

"As the chairperson of the Democratic Party, Betty was always one I would call upon for her advice on issues that affected Highland County politically, who might make a good qualified candidate, and what we should do to attract voters. She never failed to give me good advice.

"When my grandmother was in the Highland House assisted living, she always looked forward to Betty coming on Wednesdays for devotions. She touched many lives through her actions and good deeds. She lived her life serving others and serving the Lord. She will be forever remembered for her long-standing devotion to her church, her community, and her family. Our community is a better place because we were blessed to have Betty Bishop as part of it."

Betty is survived by a loving family that includes her husband of 55 years, Lee Bishop; seven children; 18 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. They are all better for having Betty in their lives.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 at the Hillsboro Church of the Nazarene. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at the church. Pastor Tom Zile will officiate. Burial will follow services in the Hillsboro Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Betty’s name to the Hillsboro Church of the Nazarene Building Fund, 8230 U.S. 50, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133 or to the Highland County Historical Society, 151 E. Main Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. The Turner & Son Funeral Home is serving the family. To sign the online registry, visit https://www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc/

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.