Obituary for James William "Bill" Poole

James William "Bill" Poole, an accomplished broadcaster and National Press Club member for some 60 years, died Sept. 26 at his home in Fredericksburg, Va.   He was 88.

Poole was born in Union, W.Va., and lived there until his parents moved to Front Royal, Va., when he was six.   His father was the chief of police and his mother was a nurse.   He became interested in broadcasting as a young ham radio operator and spent time at the Front Royal radio station, WFTR, as a teenager. After studying electronic engineering for a year at Virginia Tech, Poole went to work for WFTR, eventually becoming chief engineer.   "It was a great experience," he recalled.  "In that era, you did everything: sell, write copy, work on equipment."  In 1960, Poole was hired as general manager and chief engineer at the newly established WFLS in Fredericksburg.  He helped the station win many awards for broadcast journalism.

Poole achieved leadership positions in broadcasting and academia.  He was the first Virginian to serve on the 12-member board of the National Association of Broadcasters and was voted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame.  He chaired Virginia's Broadcast Education Assocation and served as President of the Virginia Association of Broadcasters and was a board member of the Broadcast Pioneers.  An avid golfer, Poole served as president of the Fredericksburg Country Club.  He was a former president of the city's Rotary Club and was active in many other civic associations.

Poole was appointed to the University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors and served as rector from 2006 to 2008, and in 2010, he was appointed to the University Board of Directors.  In the late 1980s, Poole served as chairman of the Mary Washington hospital, medical and foundation boards, where he helped organize building a new hospital.

Survivors include a son, four daughters and seven grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Betty Burke Janney Poole.  Poole was a member St. George's Episcopal, Fredericksburg, which will hold a memorial service at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20.