Suffolk - Wayland Jeter "W.J." Bishop, Jr., 73, passed away January 4, 2016 at his home. He was a native of the Handsom area of Southampton County and was a son of the late Wayland Jeter Bishop, Sr. and Mary Francis Bishop.

He was former owner and operator of Bishop's General Repair and was a member of Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church and attended Radiant Life Ministries. He was an honorary member of Delaware Hunt Club.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 21 years, Betty Gray Bishop, three daughters, Sharon Lee (David), Gwyn Drake (Glen) and Wanda Bishop, three sons, Chris Bishop, Charles E. Howerton (Robin) and Larry Howerton (Barbara), one brother, John M. Bishop, Sr (Martha), twelve grandchildren, Angel, Matt, Jeremy, Scott, Francis, Andrew, Becky, Elizabeth, Thomas, Ethan, Josh and Jillian and five great grandchildren, Jayden, Bryan, Morgan, Colton, and Jacob . W.J was predeceased by two children, Charles Owen Howerton, Jr and Trena Starr Howerton.

The funeral will be held at 2 PM Friday January 8, 2016 at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin with the Rev. Don Milner officiating. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 6:30 to 8PM and suggests that memorial donations be made to Radiant Life Ministries, 100 Kilby Shores Dr., Suffolk, VA 23434 or a favorite charity. www.wrightfuneralhome.org