Vermont loses iconic lawmaker, professor, pollster as former Sen. William “Bill” Doyle dies at 98
August 21, 2024 | By Lisa ScagliottiAug. 26: This post was updated with comments from former Waterbury Municipal Manager Bill Shepeluk.
Former Vermont Sen. Bill Doyle at Waterbury's Town Meeting in 2011. File photo by Gordon Miller
A giant of the Vermont Legislature and lifelong champion of civics education, William “Bill” Doyle has passed away at the age of 98.
Doyle’s family issued his obituary on Monday through a Montpelier funeral home, saying the former state senator died on Aug. 15 at Mayo Healthcare in Northfield. The Republican lawmaker represented Washington County for 48 years, from 1969 until 2017, in the state Senate and taught political science for 60 years at Johnson State College until his retirement there in 2018.
Many Vermonters know Doyle through the annual Town Meeting Day Survey that he distributed around the state and compiled results with his students, gauging public opinion on political and social issues. The results informed the electorate and the General Assembly and inspired Doyle’s action as a lawmaker and chair of the Senate Government Operations Committee over the years.
Gov. Phil Scott on Tuesday issued a statement calling Doyle “an institution” and “a beloved teacher to decades of Vermont students and mentor to hundreds of legislators, including me. Serving Washington County with Bill was a real privilege.”
A longtime resident of Montpelier, Doyle was known for his dedicated attendance at community events around his Washington District including stops at numerous town meetings on Town Meeting Day each March. Doyle continued his appearances up until his retirement despite physical mobility issues that required he use a walker and later a wheelchair.
“I remember when I was first running for the Senate, he was absolutely everywhere,” Gov. Scott recalled. “I couldn't believe the number of events he went to each and every day from dawn to well into the night. He didn't do it for fame or ego, he did it because he was a true public servant and wanted to stay connected to the people.”
Former Waterbury Municipal Manager Bill Shepeluk recalls Doyle as being “tuned in to his municipal constituents more than any legislator I can remember.”
In an email to Waterbury Roundabout, Shepeluk described what typically struck many during Doyle’s tenure: “He seemed to be at every event in every municipality he represented and it seemed all at the same time.”
Shepeluk compared Doyle to former Gov. Jim Douglas. “He knew everyone who was anyone and knew them by name. And I think whenever any ‘Jane’ or ‘Joe’ public met him, they were remembered forever,” he said fondly. “Anytime he ever saw me, he asked about the goings-on in Waterbury and always wanted to know how he could help.”
At Town Meeting in Waterbury in 2010, Sen. Doyle chats with then state Rep. Sue Minter. File photo by Gordon Miller
Vermont State University President David Bergh shared a statement on Doyle’s passing. Johnson State College where Doyle taught is now part of the unified Vermont State University.
“Bill was a distinguished academic and incredible public servant. We are proud that his professional career began with an internship at Johnson. His sixty years of dedicated service to Vermont and his leadership in the political science department are legendary,” Bergh said. “Not only did he regularly immerse his students in the Vermont Legislature and provide them with first-hand experience and knowledge of state government, his influence inspired over sixty of his students to run for office. His commitment to mentoring the next generation of public servants has certainly made Vermont a better place to live. May we all continue to carry on this tradition.”
According to Doyle’s obituary, he counted dozens of former students who went on to run for public office, some 30 or so winning election. Doyle wrote books about Vermont government and had a long-running public-access television show where he interviewed newsmakers.
Berg closed his comments with: “Our hearts go out to Bill’s family, friends and those at Vermont State University whose lives he impacted.”
In honor of Doyle’s service, the governor said flags will be flown at half-staff on the day of his memorial. According to Doyle’s obituary, that has not yet been scheduled. “He enjoyed a long and fulfilling life and Vermont is grateful for his service,” the governor said. Flags in Montpelier, Doyle’s hometown, will be at half mast for the remainder of this week, according to Vermont Public’s report on Doyle’s passing.
Sen. Doyle greets Waterbury residents including Angela Wells (left) and Everett Coffey (right) as he arrives to Town Meeting in 2011 the Town Meeting Day. File photos by Gordon Miller (click to enlarge)
Other links: Read William Doyle’s obituary posted here as well as a story from VTDigger, an editorial in the Times Argus and a column, "That Time I Attacked the Doyle Poll," by Times Argus Executive Editor Steven Pappas.