Obituary: William (Bill) T. Doyle
May 8, 1926 – August 15, 2024
August 20, 2024MONTPELIER, VT—William (Bill) T. Doyle, a cherished member of the Washington County community, passed away on August 15, 2024, at the age of 98, at Mayo Healthcare in Northfield, Vermont.
William "Bill" Doyle, 1926-2024
Born in New York City on May 8, 1926, Bill was a kind, humble, and gentle soul who led a remarkable life marked by his dedication to education, public service, and vibrant personal passions.
Bill was married to Olene Ottaway, and together they raised three children: Lee, and twins Keith and Kelly. He was a proud grandfather to Ian, Kiera, Isidora, Elmore and Kyle. His family was his pride and joy, and he always spoke of them with great affection. Bill was predeceased by his wife Olene and son Lee.
A distinguished academic and public servant, Bill spent 60 years as a professor of Political Science at Johnson State College. He brought countless leaders into his classroom, inspiring students to pursue public service and leadership roles. Bill regularly took his students to sessions of the Vermont State Legislature and the Canadian Parliament, providing them with intimate knowledge of the legislative process. His influence led over 60 of his students to run for public office, with 30 being elected and serving in significant leadership roles within the Vermont state government over the years.
His commitment to education was paralleled by his extensive tenure in the Vermont Senate, where he served for an unprecedented 48 years representing Washington County. His legacy includes the renowned Vermont Town Meeting Day Doyle Survey, which garnered thousands of responses each year around the state, reflecting his deep engagement with the issues facing Vermonters. He used the results to introduce countless bills and resolutions on behalf of his constituents, with many becoming laws that helped Vermont continue to be a vanguard for the nation in social issues including the environment and health care.
Bill grew up in Sea Girt, New Jersey, where he enjoyed the Jersey shore, riding the waves and playing softball on the beach. Following high school, he attended Princeton University, earning a bachelor’s degree in history. He continued his education at Columbia University, obtaining master’s and doctoral degrees in Education. His professional career began with an internship at Johnson State College in Vermont, leading to a long and fulfilling career there.
An avid sports enthusiast, Bill loved baseball, golf, and tennis; he excelled in tennis at the game of doubles, playing with a unique style – draping himself over the net. His extraordinary reflexes produced deft drop shots and sharp-angled volleys for winners. He enjoyed playing both tennis and golf with his kids, including playing at the Mountain View Country Club in Greensboro, Vermont, where the family owned a cottage on Caspian Lake.
He loved attending sporting events across the community and was especially fond of watching the Vermont Mountaineers baseball team at the Montpelier Recreation Center and watching sports on television with his children and grandchildren.
Gardening was a passion. Each summer he planted a huge vegetable garden in his backyard, producing a bountiful harvest (including hundreds of zucchinis) that family, neighbors and friends enjoyed. Known for his hearty appetite, he relished turkey legs, ice cream, corn on the cob, and fried yellow onions. All the waiters at his favorite restaurant, Sarducci’s, knew to provide extra onion with his order.
Bill was a dedicated community member. He wrote weekly columns for the Washington World newspaper and produced his television show Under the Golden Dome, in which he conducted hundreds of interviews. He was deeply engaged in the Central Vermont community as a member of the Montpelier Historical Society board of directors, a senior member of the Vermont Rotary, and a founding member of the Mountaineers board of directors.
He could often be found at local basketball games, church dinners, farmers markets and community gatherings across Washington County, from Cabot to Warren. Known for his warm smile and greeting, he enjoyed engaging with people from all walks of life and deeply valued their views and concerns. This extended to community sports involvement, where he coached local teams, including little league teams and the Montpelier High School tennis team.
Bill authored several notable books, including “The Vermont Political Tradition” and “A Lasting Impression: Vermont Historical Articles and Local Politics.” He led the development of an extensive video collection documenting the history of Vermont for each county in the state.
Bill’s legacy of service, scholarship, and passion for life will continue to inspire those who knew him. His warmth and kindness will be deeply missed by his family, friends and the many lives he touched throughout his remarkable journey. During his final years where he stayed at Mayo Healthcare, he became a part of the Mayo family, developing a genuine connection with all. As one staff remarked, “He always made us feel special and lifted our spirits.”
A celebration of life event remembering Bill’s extraordinary life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Vermont Community Foundation’s Flood Response and Recovery Fund at vtfloodresponse.org.
Arrangements are by Guare & Sons, Barber & Lanier Funeral Home in Montpelier. To leave online condolence, visit guareandsons.com.