William J. Small
1926–2020 (age 94)
Broadcast journalist and network executive
Biography
William J. Small dedicated his career to journalism, earning respect at CBS and later as a network executive for championing thorough, accountable reporting. He led newsrooms through some of the most consequential decades of the 20th century, insisting that the public deserved clarity, context, and courage from those who told the nation’s stories.
His mentorship helped launch the careers of many journalists who went on to hold themselves to the same high standards, and he remained an advocate for press freedom well into retirement. Small was laid to rest at Waldheim Cemetery Co., leaving a legacy of integrity in broadcast journalism.