William Edward Doyle, 75; Judge in Denver School Lawsuit

Federal Judge William Edward Doyle, who presided over the landmark 1968 Denver school desegregation suit that resulted in mandatory school busing, has died after a long illness. He was 75.

Doyle, who rose to the 10th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals, died Friday at St. Joseph Hospital. He served more than 25 years as a state and federal judge, but was best known for presiding over the school desegregation suit.

Judge William J. Holloway Jr., chief judge of the 10th Circuit, said his colleague was “a judge of deep conscience, compassion and courage.”

President Kennedy appointed Doyle to the federal bench in 1961. He was chief judge of U. S. District Court in Denver when he was appointed to the appeals court in 1973. The 10th Circuit covers Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Doyle retired in December, 1985, when President Reagan granted him senior status. He is survived by his wife, Helen; a son, Michael Doyle, and a daughter, Susan Doyle, all of Denver.