Bill Bishop was born in 1926 in Americus, Georgia. At age eleven Bishop began his golfing career as a caddy at the Americus Country Club where his grandfather was the caddy master.

In the 1940's Bishop's family moved north to Philadelphia, PA. He attended and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1943. Bishop Served in the U.S. Army from 1945 until he was honorably discharged in 1947. Bishop had a long career with the federal government at the Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia as an inspection specialist until he retired in 1976. 

Bishop constantly played and honed his skill at Cobbs Creek Golf Course in Philadelphia, PA. In 1945 Bishop had a chance to play a match with the Heavyweight Champion of the World, Joe Louis. 

Bill Bishop won eighty-four amateur tournaments between 1947 and 1954. In 1954 he competed in his first pro tournament where he tied for second place with a 68 at Jeffersonville Country Club in Jeffersonville, PA.

From 1954 to the mid 1970's, Bishop traveled the country playing in the United Golf Association (UGA) tour events with legends like Lee Elder, Howard Wheeler, Bobby Mays and other African American golfers. 

From 1954 to the mid 1970's, Bishop traveled the country playing in the United Golf Association (UGA) tour events with legends like Lee Elder, Howard Wheeler, Bobby Mays and other African American golfers.