William Gabriel Doyle

DOYLE, William “Bill” age 88 of Centerville, passed away Thursday, June 4, 2026. He is survived by his loving wife, Kate (Metzger) Doyle; daughter, Kathleen (Doyle) Dwyer and husband Shane; son, Daniel Doyle; grandsons, Sean and Aidan Dwyer; brother, Michael Doyle and wife Patricia; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jane (Connolly) Doyle; sister, Tess Donnelly; brothers, Jack Doyle and wife Nancy, Leo Doyle and wife Gladys, Patrick Doyle and wife Annie, Gabriel Doyle and wife Betty, and Cornelius Doyle.

Born Feb 23, 1938 in Dublin, Ireland, William grew up in Crumlin and graduated from the Christian Brothers School. Growing up he took Irish dance with his brothers and sister, and became an avid ballroom dancer, competing with his sister Tess in Dublin, Blackpool and later in Ohio. At age 20, while living in London, he began studying judo under world-renowned George Kerr at the Renshuden Judo Academy.

He emigrated to the US in 1963, settling in Dayton, Ohio, where his sister lived. He continued with his love of Judo by opening his own club at the Kettering YMCA in 1964. He won the Masters division at the 1978 National Championships, and went on to coach countless young judoka, taking multiple athletes to the elite level as High School and international competitors. He served as head coach for two Junior Pan American teams and two European touring teams. A highlight to his career was earning his 7th Dan black belt in 2006 making him the highest ranking judoka in Ohio. He was a dedicated member of USA Judo and Ohio Judo Inc.

In 1968, while working at Angel Manufacturing, he met his future wife Kathleen. They married at Corpus Christi Church on April 11, 1970. Together they raised, trained, and showed their beloved great dane, Sean Sabu of Devrok, winning Champion of The American Kennel Club on May 6, 1972.

Bill continued Irish Dancing alongside his sister, Tess, competing with the Kerry Dancers in Dayton. He was a member of the AOH for many years. He stayed involved in the Irish dance community, proudly watching his daughter become a teacher, open the Dwyer School of Irish Dance, and see his grandsons compete successfully at the World level.

William “Bill” had a very successful career as a traffic salesman, and was a member of the Miami Valley Transportation Club for many years. He worked with multiple companies over 40 years, spending a majority of it with Transcon Express in Dayton. His Irish accent and quick wit opened many doors and led to lifelong friendships in the traffic community.

An avid Football fan, his favorite player was Sir Tom Finney of Preston North End. His favorite pastime was watching his Manchester United team on the pitch. He was so proud to own 5 acres, where he surrounded himself with animals. He loved music, singing Irish rebel songs, and was always listening to Benny Goodman and the Glenn Miller Band. He adored his grandsons and loved watching them play soccer and Irish dance. Bill will be remembered by so many for his kindness, wonderful sense of humor and that beautiful Irish brogue. He was a good man.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, June 14 at the Tobias Funeral Home-Far Hills Chapel, 5471 Far Hills Ave. His family will receive friends from noon until the time of service Sunday at the funeral home.