William T. Doyle ’49

Professor, public servant, and author, Bill died Aug. 15, 2024, at age 98 in Northfield, Vt.

Born in New York City, Bill grew up in the New Jersey shore town of Sea Girt, riding waves and playing softball on the beach. He came to Princeton from the Lawrenceville School, and majored in history, played JV baseball, and joined Cannon Club.

Bill earned graduate degrees at Columbia and taught at Lawrenceville and Montclair Academy before heading to Johnson State College in Vermont, where he spent 60 years as a professor of political science, inspiring students to pursue public service and leadership roles. From 1969 to 2017, he represented Washington County as the longest-serving Vermont state senator, championing bills and resolutions focused on the environment and health care. He regularly showed up at the State House with his students from Johnson State, and he authored the long-running survey, the “Doyle Poll,” which reached thousands of Vermonters and informed his votes on important issues.

Bill continued to love baseball as well as golf and doubles tennis, which he played with a singular style: draping himself over the net. His devotion to his family and community defined his life.

He was predeceased by his wife, Olene; and a son. Bill is survived by two children; five grandchildren; and his brother, Al Doyle ’50.