Longtime musician, chorus director Bill Doll dies at 82

By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer

William “Bill” Doll, longtime hornist, barbershop singer and educator has died.

Doll was known throughout Rockford as a member of several musical acts including the Bill Doll Jazztet, Tag-A-Longs and Rockford Barbershop Chorus, where he retired as director in 2009 after 38 years of singing.

Doll died Monday, Nov. 15, at SwedishAmerican Hospital. He was 82.

Beginning his singing career in the 1930s, Doll was a regular performer at Fourth of July parades and festivals, including On The Waterfront, First Night and area fairs. He was a Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and won a handful of Best of Rockford awards for his many years of musical contributions.

Funeral services are at noon, Friday, Nov. 19, at Holy Family Church, 4401 Highcrest Road.