Willard “Bill” Bishop — who co-founded grocery digital analytics firm Brick Meets Click — died March 25. Bishop was 80.
Bishop's experience in the food retail business started when UPC codes were new and continued through the online grocery revolution that was fast-tracked during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.
He ran Willard Bishop Consulting for almost four decades, but didn’t stop after that. Instead, he tackled the industry’s newest challenge: how digital technology was changing the grocery industry.
In 2011, Bishop co-founded Brick Meets Click with his son, Steve Bishop. The analytics and strategic insight firm focuses on helping the grocery industry navigate the impact of digital technology and e-commerce. Bishop led as chief architect, and the family business grew as his son, David Bishop, and daughter, Cindy Christian, joined the team.
The firm continues under the direction of his three children.
“Only recently did significant health challenges finally prevent him from being his typical hyper-productive self and force him to retire,” Bishop’s obituary said. “Bill truly loved his work and valued his friendships with individuals across the grocery industry.”
A private celebration of life service is being planned for mid-May in Barrington, Ill. The family is also working on coordinating a separate online memorial event to allow people from across the grocery industry who developed relationships with Bishop to gather and honor him. The date and details will follow later.
Here is the link to the full obituary: Willard “Bill” Bishop: 1941 – 2022.
In lieu of flowers, the family is inviting memorial donations to be made in Bill’s honor to F.I.S.H. Food Pantry, Carpentersville, Ill., www.fish-food-pantry.org, or to your local food pantry.
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