Bill Saylor
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William A. "Bill" Saylor was an American TV broadcaster, best known for his 34-year career at WGAL in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He covered major stories in the Susquehanna Valley, including President John F. Kennedy’s arrival in 1962, Hurricane Agnes in 1972, and the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979, where he was one of the first reporters on the scene[1].
Early life
[edit]The son of the late Samuel and Miriam Saylor, he was born into a close-knit family in Reading, Pennsylvania, during the Great Depression. While his parents practiced thrifting, they passed on to him a keen sense of humor (which he would use throughout his life), an optimistic personality, and a love of socializing with family and friends.[2] Each night, Bill enjoyed spirited dinner conversations, followed by gathering around the family radio for evening entertainment and storytelling. It was during these years the seeds of broadcasting planted in Saylor's life.
When the US entered WWII, Bill and his best friend from Reading High School joined the Navy. Following Saylor's time in the Navy, held a variety of jobs, but none of them worked out for him in the early stages of his career. Next, he moved to New York City to be a camera fixer by day, and by night, he attended the Cambridge School of Broadcasting.
Career
[edit]Bill started his career joining WGAL in 1961 and was on a variety of programs and held many positions there as a reporter, weathercaster (for which he was known as The Atlantic Weather Man), and anchor. He covered many big stories during his tenure, which included President JFK's visit to Lancaster in 1962, Hurricane Agnes in 1972, and perhaps one of the biggest stories he ever covered was the Three Mile Island meltdown in 1979. Saylor retired from WGAL in 1995 after 34 years.[3]
He then moved on to become a candidate for County Commissioner in 1995. A year later in 1996, he ran for State Senate in the 13th District, and again ran for County Commissioner in 1999 and 2003. In 2000, Bill even served as a campaign chair for a state representative candidate and for many years served as the Democratic Committee Person in his precinct at Millersville Borough. And for the next ten years, Saylor was the Personnel Committee Chair of Lancaster County's Executive Board.
Awards
[edit]In 2005, Saylor received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of commitment to the Party as well as the community.
Personal life
[edit]He maintained his humor and abiding optimism in his entire life. In 2013, he wrote a memoir titled A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to a Career, in which 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 enjoyed it". He was married to his wife Judith J. Saylor for over 34 years. They had 2 children, a son named Steven and a daughter named Ginevra Saylor-Boal, and a granddaughter, Argia Saylor-Boal.[4]
Death
[edit]Saylor died on Saturday, March 21, 2020, from an apparent aneurysm at age 90.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ [email protected], Jana Benscoter | (2020-03-22). "WGAL longtime anchor, reporter Bill Saylor passed away: report". pennlive. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Home, Charles F. Snyder Funeral. "Obituary for Bill (William A.) Saylor | Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home". Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ "WGAL 70th Anniversary Countdown". WGAL. Mar 13, 2019. 13 March 2019. Retrieved Mar 13, 2019.
- ^ Greene, Jo-Ann (9 February 2014). "Retired newscaster and Democratic candidate recalls his years in TV, politics". LancasterOnline Book Reviews. Feb 9, 2014. Retrieved Jan 2, 2015.
- ^ "Former WGAL Anchor and Reporter, Bill Saylor dies". WGAL. Mar 21, 2020. 21 March 2020. Retrieved Mar 21, 2020.