[BC] Obit: Bill Hoyt, FM transmitter designer at Gates Radio

[John Lyles]

OBITUARY
William Abram "Bill" HOYT
Quincy Herald Whig, Feb 14, 2012

COLCHESTER, Ill. -- William "Bill" Abram Hoyt, 89, died Tuesday (Feb. 7, 2012) in St. Louis.

He was born July 6, 1922, in Colchester, a son of Benjamin Franklin and Beulah Artemis Hoyt. He was baptized in First Christian Church, Colchester, in the 1930s. He married his sweetheart, Betty Jane Murphy, on Feb. 9, 1944, and they enjoyed 65 years of life together. She died Jan. 18, 2010.

Bill graduated from Colchester High School in 1940, where he developed a life-long interest in radio and radio technology. Following high school graduation, he attended Western Illinois State Teachers College in Macomb, where he studied physics, joined the student radio club and played clarinet in the band.

>From 1942 to 1945, Bill served in the Pacific aboard the inaugural crew of USS Lewis (DE-535) as a radio technician first class. During Typhoon Connie on June 2, 1945, he played a vital role in maintaining navigational radar and communications for the Lewis and its fleet. After the war, he earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Tri-State College in Angola, Ind.

He began a distinguished professional career in radio engineering at Doolittle Radio in Chicago. In 1952, Bill and his family relocated to Quincy where he joined Gates Radio and subsequently Harris Corp., designing, building and servicing FM broadcast transmitters until his retirement in 1990. His work took him across the United States as well as to many other countries. He spent six months in Indonesia in 1976 developing a network of radio stations throughout that country.

His professional legacy may be found in radio stations throughout the world where "his" transmitters continue in service to this day. He was a member of the National Association of Broadcasters and a senior member of the Institute of Radio Engineers.

Scouting was always an important part of Bill's life. He was a lone Scout in Colchester before a troop was established. His involvement and support of the Boy Scouts continued as an adult in Troop 3 at Central Baptist Church. In 1976, he was awarded the Silver Beaver for distinguished service to youth.

He joined the Masonic Lodge of Colchester in 1946 and was an active member of Herman Lodge No. 39 in Quincy. During retirement, he particularly enjoyed attending the weekly meetings of the High Twelve Club, spending time with fellow Masons and inviting his sons to attend with him when possible.

He was an active, long-time member of Central Baptist Church in Quincy, joining the congregation with his family on Jan. 27, 1952. He served as the recording engineer for many years, producing the weekly programs of the Central Baptist Hour that were broadcast on WTAD. He served in many additional capacities at Central during his 60-year membership. The community of faith at Central Baptist was central to his life.

He is survived by four sons, James William (wife Barbara, children Sarah and Jacob) of Columbus, Ohio, Roger Franklin (wife Jenny, children Elizabeth and David) of San Jose, Calif., Richard Alan (wife Joan, children Timothy, Rebecca [husband Scott, daughter Eliza], and Emily) of Webster Groves, Mo., and Jeffrey Kent (wife Carol) of Collinsville; siblings, Joe Allen Hoyt and Virginia Lee Fentem, both of Colchester; and family caregiver, Joyce Whitaker of Loraine.

Bill's greatest joys were his family, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. He will be missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Friday in Central Baptist Church, Seventh and Broadway, Quincy. Interment will be at 3 p.m. Friday in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Colchester, with military rites by the Macomb VFW Post 1921 and the Macomb American Legion Post 6.

VISITATION: 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday in Jones Mortuary, 217 E. Depot St., Colchester, and from 6 to 8 p.m. in the church in Quincy.

MEMORIALS: Central Baptist Church in care of the William Hoyt Memorial Fund.

ARRANGEMENTS: Jones Mortuary, Colchester.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.