Bill (William A.) Saylor, 90

March 21, 2020

Bill Saylor, 90, of Millersville passed away peacefully in his home Saturday, March 21, 2020. Bill was born into a close-knit family in a working-class neighborhood of Reading, PA. during the Great Depression. While his parents practiced frugality, they also bestowed on Bill a sense of humor, an optimistic personality, and a love of socializing with family and friends. Bill loved spirited conversations over dinner each night followed by gathering in front of the family radio for their evening entertainment of listening to stories. The seeds of broadcasting were planted early in Bill’s life.

When the US entered WWII, Bill and his best friend from Reading high school, joined the Navy. Following Bill’s time in the Navy, he took a variety of jobs, none of which he wanted for a career. Bill moved to New York City to fix cameras by day and attend the Cambridge School of Broadcasting by night. Bill started his broadcasting career at WGAL in 1961 where he was on a variety of programs and was known as The Atlantic Weather Man. He covered many big events during his tenure including President John F. Kennedys visit to Lancaster in 1962, Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and the Three Mile Island meltdown in 1979. Bill retired in 1995 after 34 years of service.

In 1995, Bill was a candidate for County Commissioner. In 1996, he ran for State Senate in the 13th District. Bill also ran for County Commissioner in 1999 and in 2003. In 2000, he served as a campaign chair for a state representative candidate. Bill served many years as the Democratic Committee Person in his precinct in Millersville Borough and as the Personnel Committee Chair for the Lancaster County Executive Board for 10 years. For his years of commitment to the Party as well as to the community, the Lancaster County Democratic Committee bestowed upon Bill the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. Bill maintained his humor and abiding optimism throughout his life. In his 2013 memoir, A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to a Career, Bill wrote, “My Great Grandfather lived to be 104 years old. If I can match that, I have a long way to go. If I don’t I won’t feel cheated…it was a good life and I really enjoyed it.”

He was the son of the late Samuel and Miriam Saylor and is survived by his wife Judith J. Saylor with whom he was married to for over 34 years. In addition to his wife, Judy, he is survived by his son, Steven Saylor of Philadelphia, PA, and daughter, Ginevra Saylor-Boal and granddaughter Argia Saylor- Boal of Toronto, Canada.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to WITF, 4801 Lindle Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17111 or to the Lancaster County Democratic Committee, 53 N. Duke St, Lancaster, PA 17602.