Biography: LeRoy W. Bish Jr, age 84, died March 2, 2018 at his home in Vail, Arizona from complications
of Parkinson’s disease.
Roy was a proud veteran serving in both the Marines and the Navy. After high school, he
enlisted in the Marines and served in the Korean War. He then attended Parks College at St.
Louis University where his love of flying began. He graduated with a degree in Aeronautical
Engineering, joined the Navy and attended the Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, FL where
he got his Naval Aviator wings.
Roy piloted the AD Skyraider while serving on the carriers USS Constellation and the USS
Lexington. He then became a Navy test pilot of the A6A Intruder and the S2F Tracker at
Grumman Aircraft Corp. He left the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander and
continued flying for the Naval Reserves at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, NY.
His flying career continued as an airline pilot for Pan American World Airways, first as a
navigator, then as a first officer on the 707 and then as Captain on the L1011 and 747. He
served with distinction for over 27 years and never lost his love of flying.
When Roy wasn’t flying airplanes he was pursuing his love of history, with a particular
interest in the Civil War that began as a young man growing up near Gettysburg, PA. He had
an extensive library of Civil War and history books and traveled to many of the historic
battleground sites throughout the United States. He also took advantage of many overseas
trips as a pilot to explore historic sites around the world.
His other hobbies included renovating old houses in his younger days and bass fishing with
his grandkids off his dock at his home in Florida, where he lived for 18 years.
Roy was born in Hanover, PA to LeRoy W. Bish, Sr. and Hilda Collins Bish. He grew up in
Littlestown, PA with his two sisters, Anna Mae Reinaman Snodgrass and Jean Bish, who both
predeceased him.
He is survived by his wife Lois, his son Christopher, his daughter-in-law Vicky, and his two
grandchildren Sara and Connor, also of Vail, Arizona, as well as beloved in-laws, nieces and
nephews. His daughter, Tracy, predeceased him.
Memorial Graveside Service is Sat, Aug 18, at 10 A.M. at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Boyer St., Littlestown with The Rev. Christopher Thomas of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Littlestown, officiating.  Military honors will be conducted by Littlestown Allied Veterans Council.