Clayton E. "Ellie" Bishop, 90, passed peacefully at home, Saturday, April 3.  He leaves his wife of 68 years, Marlene (Lange) Bishop; a son, Mark Bishop and his wife, Yihong and their son, Marshall, of Bellevue, WA and a  daughter, Nancy Harris, of Denver, CO; several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his brothers Everett and William Bishop and his sister Jeanette Gauthier.  

Ellie was born in Eastport, ME, January 25, 1931, a son of Everett and Nettie (Ellis) Bishop.  He grew up in Millville and was a graduate of Blackstone High School.  After graduation, he worked briefly at the Whitin Machine Works before enlisting  in the United States Coast Guard.  After discharge from the Coast Guard,  he became a furniture upholstery apprentice with Barbo Furniture, in Stoneham.  After learning the trade, Clayton opened his own business, Bishop Upholstery, in Lynn.  He and Marlene lived and raised their family in Lynn, until retiring in 2004, when they moved back to Whitinsville.

Clayton found pleasure spending time in nature, hiking and  working around the yard.  Throughout his life he exercised daily, frequenting the gym while living in Lynn, and the Whitin Community Center, after moving to Whitinsville.  He was a talented racquet ball player, a sport he played for many years.  He and Marlene enjoyed traveling. Travels to China, Russia, Egypt and Germany were a few favorite trips taken over the years.   

A Memorial Service at the Rockdale Congregational Church, where he was a long time member, will be held at the convenience of his family.  In lieu of flowers,  donations in Clayton's memory may be made to the Rockdale Congregational Church, PO Box 521, Northbridge, MA 01534.