In 1979 Bill Bishop and Chuck Johnson at the ages of 25 and 22 respectively, purchased the Nugent family homestead located at 285 Main St. in Hornell NY. The home was extensively renovated to meet the needs of the families that Bill and Chuck would have the honor of serving in their new Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. Later in 1986 an addition was completed that expanded the facilities to include a large entrance hall and viewing room.

Chuck Johnson and Bill Bishop circa 1979

Additional property was purchased to provide convenient off-street parking for the families and guests being served.

After the untimely and unexpected death of Chuck Johnson at the age of 34 on May 6, 1991 (the 12th anniversary of the opening of the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc.), Bill Bishop continued the operation of the funeral home alone until 1997 when Steven DeSanto, a Hornell native and licensed funeral director became associated with the business.

Bill Bishop later purchased the Bond-Davis Funeral Home in Avoca NY and renamed it the Avoca Funeral Home and Steve DeSanto became the home's new manager.