July 20, 2004
Bill Carroll
We lost a good man in June. Bill Carroll passed away at the age of 80. Educator, political organizer, union official, opera buff, lover of all music, Bill was a character well worth knowing. He was proud of his Irish-Finnish heritage, but leaned toward Finland. He spoke often about the great contribution of Finlanders to our culture and seemed to know everyone in the state who had Finnish parents.
During a campaign trip in a driving snow storm, Bill quizzed a young volunteer. Not about politics--that was too easy. He demanded to know the young man's favorite author, his favorite drama, the opera he listens to most often. As the volunteer struggled to keep the car on the road, he finally pleaded to discuss politics. We all roared.
No one loved the University of Wisconsin more or believed more passionately in the education of our young people. Bill Carroll. One of a kind. He changed our state with his enthusiasm and his leadership.
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