NORTHFIELD, Vt. (WCAX) – Former Vermont Senator Bill Doyle spent much of his life serving Vermont. The longtime lawmaker died Thursday at the age of 98.
Bill Doyle’s life was all about civic involvement. It was the cornerstone of his history and government studies classes at Johnson State College, and his decades of service as a state senator from Washington County.
“There’s not a legislator I know that doesn’t want to know how the people back home feel about the issues,” Doyle told WCAX News.
Doyle came to Vermont in 1958 while working on his doctorate from Columbia University. He enlisted the help of some Johnson students, and the school president was so impressed, he hired Doyle. That was the start of more than 50 years in the classroom teaching Vermont history and politics.
Doyle launched his own political career in 1968, winning a seat in the Vermont Senate as a Republican from Washington County. He became a fixture in the Senate chamber for decades to come, but Doyle cemented his legacy in his very first year in office by starting a Town Meeting Day survey. The Doyle Poll asked voters to weigh in on important statewide issues. Though the results were unscientific, the poll gave guidance to lawmakers wrestling with the thorny topics.
Doyle was respected and admired by constituents and colleagues alike for his friendly demeanor and for working across the aisle on issues, but he wasn’t a pushover when defending the legislative process and his party’s position, as in this clash with then-Governor Howard Dean on the final days of the 2002 session.
Howard Dean: He refuses to suspend the rules on dairy, he refused to suspend the rules on the courthouse in Rutland. You’re willfully obstructing the session. We’ve had enough of this. We’re going home.
Bill Doyle: If you’re playing politics.
Howard Dean: I am. It wasn’t me that didn’t re-suspend the rules, buddy, you had your chance.
Bill Doyle: You’re running for president. You haven’t been around.
But it was the softer side of Doyle that his Washington County constituents will remember best, as a friendly and familiar face at community events across the county.
Bill Doyle, a true citizen legislator.