For a generation of local TV news viewers across the National Capital Region, Doug Hill was a household name — a trusted source of local weather reports and a friendly face to those tuned to WJLA-7, the ABC station once owned by the Allbritton family that’s been owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group since 2014.
Now, thousands of viewers, as well as media industry figures across Washington, are stopping to remember Hill, who has died.
Hill passed away on Monday (11/22) in North Carolina, surrounded by his family. He was 71, according to The Washington Post.
While Hill is widely remembered for his role as a weathercaster, it is his second career; Hill was a police officer in Prince George’s County, Md., before acting on his deep interest in meteorology. After working at television stations in Richmond and Detroit, Hill would call Washington, D.C., his on-air home, spending 33 years on the air in the Nation’s Capital. From 1984-2000, Hill was associated with Gannett’s CBS-affiliated WUSA-9. From then until his retirement on September 15, 2017, he was with WJLA.
In a statement appearing on the station’s website, WJLA noted, “Simply stated — he was the best of the best, one of the most familiar and popular faces on local television. His calm voice and easy demeanor brought comfort during the strongest storms, and a laugh or two on the brighter days. He was a mentor second to none, always willing to listen and make suggestions – always with an even and reassuring tone.”
Among those expressing their sorrow over Hill’s passing: Anchor Alison Starling. “I am in shock over the loss of this wonderful man,” she Tweeted. “Doug Hill was so many things. He was a talented meteorologist, the best of the best. He was a kind, funny family man deeply rooted in his faith. It was an honor to work with him, and Doug, we miss you so much already.”
In addition to his role on WJLA, Hill had a presence on Washington radio, too, as he could be heard on Contemporary Christian WGTS-FM 91.9 following his retirement from TV. Hill could be heard in mornings, and joined WGTS in September 2016. He was also active in station events.
At the time, Hill remarked, “I’ve been a fan and supporter of the station from the beginning, but to work here is an answered prayer. As I get older, I want to spend the time I have in radio ministry. It’s the perfect confluence of my interest and G-d’s will and I couldn’t think of a better radio family that I’d like to be a part of.”
For 15 years before his time on WGTS, Hill could be heard on WTOP, the all-News radio station in Washington, D.C. Just before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, WTOP meteorologist Steve Rudin went on the air to pay tribute to Hill. He described him as “the best of the best – one of the most popular and familiar faces on local television.”
While WJLA was Hill’s final broadcast home in Washington, D.C., it is perhaps his tenure at WUSA that is more significant, given the dominance of the station from his arrival through the sudden passing of sports anchor Glenn Brenner in January 1992. With Maureen Bunyan and Gordon Peterson as the news anchors, WUSA was a leader competing head on with NBC O&O WRC-4. WJLA was in third place. By 2004, Bunyan, Peterson and Hill were across town at WJLA; WUSA’s dominance had long vanished.
Meanwhile, Hill’s chief weather rival of the 1980s and early 1990s, WRC’s Bob Ryan, eventually teamed with Hill at WJLA, joining in 2010; Ryan is now retired.
