At age 84, Merilou Kay (Williamson) Bishop died on Jan. 8, 2026, in Dayton, Ohio. She has been joyously reunited with her mother, Alice Lucille (McReynolds) Williamson, whom Kay missed every day since her mother’s death in 1979.
Born in Dahlgren, Illinois, on June 3, 1941, to Merle and Lucille Williamson, Kay spent a large portion of her life in her beloved hometown of Mt. Vernon, Ill., where she assisted with her family’s pet shop when she was young. During her teen years, she was caregiver for her aunt, Dora Belle McReynolds, who experienced paralysis due to a childhood bout of polio.
In 1968, Kay moved to Springfield, Ohio, where she lived and taught for more than three decades before returning to Mt. Vernon for 17 years. During 2020, Kay relocated from Mt. Vernon back to the Dayton area to be closer to family, and there she passed away after a few years of battling Alzheimer’s-related dementia.
During her life, Kay obtained an associate’s degree in Art from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Art from Wittenberg University, and a master’s degree in Art from Wright State University. She delighted in opportunities to teach children and was fond of recounting her experiences as an art teacher at many schools over the course of her career. Art was her most beloved hobby, as well, whether she was piecing together her “stitcheries” or hand-drawing and painting greeting cards for friends.
Harboring a deep faith in Jesus Christ, Kay was actively involved in multiple church congregations during her lifetime, most recently as a member of North Huber Heights (Ohio) Baptist Church. She considered Park Avenue Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Ill., to be her spiritual home, assisting there with Children’s Church, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School for many years.
A classically trained first soprano, Kay loved to sing in church and community choirs throughout her lifetime. Additionally, she enjoyed participating in mission trips, often dressing as an “Art Clown” to interact with children and lead them in art projects during these times of service. She relished traveling, counting trips to Germany, Australia, and Hawaii among her fondest memories.
Kay was married to Ray Bishop from 1960 to 1999, and the couple shared two daughters.
In addition to her mother, Kay was preceeded in death by her father, Merle “Happy” Williamson, her maternal aunt Dora Belle McReynolds, and her sisters, Patricia (Williamson) Smith, and Nancy (Williamson) Litsch, as well as three other siblings, Verna, Claude, and Merle Williamson, all of whom passed as infants.
Kay is survived by her daughter Mindy (Bishop) Claggett, son-in-law Don Claggett, and grandson Gannon Claggett, as well as daughter Kendra (Bishop) Varner, son-in-law Larry Varner, and grandchildren Drew and his wife Kennedy, Aaron, and Abby Varner. Additionally, she leaves behind nephew Ron (Linda) Shoemaker and cousin Helengene (Craig) Farnsworth. Her close friends JoAn and Rollie Wilson of Springfield, Ohio, and Colleen Bogard of Carterville, Ill., were very dear to her, as well.
At Kay’s request, a graveside-only memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, beginning at 11 a.m. CT, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery Dahlgren (2549 County Rd. 2200N, Dahlgren, Ill.). Those attending are asked to meet directly at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Kay’s memory to Park Avenue Baptist Church, 900 Park Ave., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864, or donations will also be accepted at Young Funeral Home in Wayne City, IL. Online condolences, memories, and words of encouragement may be shared at www.youngfuneralhomellc.com.