Charles W. Bish, age 88, formerly of Longton, Kansas passed away Thursday, October 4, 2007 at the Lakepoint Nursing Home in Wichita, Kansas. He was born on December 31, 1918 in Mutual, Oklahoma the son of William and Hazel (Roberts) Bish. He received a Masters degree from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. He would later serve in the Army Air Corp during World War II. On August 8, 1946 in Woodward, Oklahoma he married Ethel M. Buss, they were married for 61 years. Charles was one of the first guidance counselors for the Elk City and Longton Schools, but his true passion was being a stockman, which he worked at for more than 30 years. When younger, Charles was active with the S.K.E.D. Development, Rural Water Board, and helped judge different groups at the Elk County Fair. He was an active gardener and was known for his flowers along the highway. He was an avid basketball watcher while enjoying other sporting activities. (Woodward News, October 30, 2007: http://www.woodwardnews.net/charles-w-bish/article_f8b661e1-7efa-5e9a-bd22-1b46e2a78c24.html)

Memorial: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48265132

Popular Teacher Prefers Study Hall (West Word, February 11, 1966)

Almost every student at West knows the study hall teacher in I-10. He is Mr. Charles Bish.

Mr. Bish has been teaching study hall for the past 11 years at West. Although Mr. Bish has a Masters Degree from Phillips University, in Enid, Okla., he enjoys teaching study hall. He has been working on a degree for counseling the past couple of years. He hasn’t asked for any teaching courses here at West because he is afraid that if he starts teaching he won’t be able to go into counseling.

The popular study hall teacher was asked what he thought of the West High students and the reply was “They are typical students. I haven’t really any grudge against any of them. I try to keep everyone quiet, so they all can study.”