Former Transport Topics Editor Bill Odlin Dies

William S. Odlin Jr., a former editor-in-chief of Transport Topics, died Oct. 5 from cancer of the esophagus. The 82-year-old native of Washington, D.C., was born and died at Georgetown Hospital.

Joining TT in 1950, Mr. Odlin became its third editor-in-chief and had a nine-year reign at the position.

Mr. Odlin began his newspaper career in 1934, when he started working at the Washington Post as a copy boy at age 17. He worked at the newspaper for several years before moving to the Times-Herald, which was later bought by the Post.

“He was a man of rare good character and warm human decency,” said Jesse H. Merrell, who was hired as associate editor by Mr. Odlin soon after he became editor in 1968.

For the full story, see the Oct. 11 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.