William F. 'Bill' Diehl

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Diehl, William F. "Bill" 91, of St. Paul, Minnesota, after a long illness, on July 19, 2017. Survived by wife, Helen; brother, Dr. James (Gayle) Diehl; sister-in-law, Mrs. Phyllis Nelson; nieces and nephews; great (and great, great) nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank (Ellen) Diehl; sister, Mrs. Joan (Howard) Nelson. Bill Diehl was a newspaper columnist, Radio broadcaster and pioneer television broadcaster. He worked at the St. Paul Dispatch/Pioneer Press for 53 years. He was at WMIN from 1948-1956; WDGY for 11 years, and WCCO Radio for 26 years. At WDGY, he was "the Rajah of the Records, the Deacon of the Disks, the Purveyor of the Platters, and the Wizard of the Wax with all the musical facts." Along with his broadcasting duties, he was a popular Emcee for musical acts, including Buddy Holly. He played a significant role in bringing the Beatles to Minneapolis in 1965. After beginning as a paperboy at the St. Paul Dispatch, he was employed by the paper as a copyboy, rising to have his own column, "Look and Listen" by 1950. He was Entertainment Editor and film critic until 1985; continuing to write his own column until 1996. Bill and Helen Diehl had an extensive library of albums and classic films and were founders of the Blockhead Tent of the Laurel and Hardy Club "Sons of the Desert." Our thanks to the Nurses and Staff of Sholom Home in St. Paul, Minnesota, as well as to the Hospice caregivers. Memorials preferred. O'Halloran & Murphy 651-698-0796

Published on July 23, 2017