January 5, 2018
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Professor William Elder Doll, Junior. Bill died peacefully at home in Cobble Hill, BC, on Tuesday, December 27, 2017, at the age of 86.
As eloquently conveyed in the family’s announcement of his passing:
Bill is survived by his wife Donna, her children Jennifer, Sarah and Luke and grandchildren Maeve, Cate, and Reuben; and by his first wife Mary Aswell Doll, their son William, wife Catherine, and grandchildren Alexander and Mason. Bill Doll was a teacher and teacher educator who achieved the highest honors in his field, praised for his commitment, work ethic, passion, and unrelenting desire to advance curriculum studies internationally. He attended Cornell University, graduating with a BA degree in 1953. The MA was conferred by Boston University in 1960, and the PhD by the Johns Hopkins University in 1972. After teaching in elementary and middle schools for 15 years, Bill began teaching at the State University of New York at Oswego and, briefly, at the University of Redlands in California. Between 1999 until his retirement in 2007, he held the Vira Franklin & J.R. Eagles Endowed Professorship at Louisiana State University, where a conference room and a fellowship have been named in his honour; the William E. Doll, Jr. Archive – preserving his papers and correspondence – is located in the LSU Library.
After retiring from full-time teaching and research Doll was appointed adjunct professor first at the University of Victoria, then at the University of British Columbia where he and Donna Trueit co-taught as well as mentored both students and faculty in scholarly publishing until 2015. He was a key influence in the UBC Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy’s monthly Seminar series through which faculty and other visiting scholars share their research and scholarship. As tribute to Doll’s incredible achievements, a collection of his most memorable essays was published by Routledge in New York under a title that names the areas of Doll’s expansive expertise: Pragmatism, Postmodernism, Complexity Theory: The Fascinating Imaginative Realm of William E. Doll, Jr. As Bill strolled through life he proactively encouraged us all to pursue our dreams and generously supported us to achieve them. He touched the hearts of many and helped lost souls find their way. In addition to being dignified, courteous, and gracious, he will be remembered for his ebullient laughter, joie de vivre, positive spirit, and uplifting attitude–not to mention the bow ties. If asked, he was always “Ipsy pipsy, A # 1, Yankee Doodles Dandy!” He is much loved by family, friends, students and colleagues and he will be sadly missed. His wonderful life should be joyously celebrated! Whoosh!
The funeral was held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at St. Frances Xavier Church, Cobble Hill, BC.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to William E. Doll Curriculum Theory Project Superior Graduate Student Scholarship. You may make your gift online by visiting www.lsufoundation.org/givetoHSE. If you prefer to send in a check, please mail to the LSU Foundation, 3796 Nicholson Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Condolences can be sent to www.hwwallacecbc.com/obituaries/?ref=send-condolences.