William F. Gavin, 80, a speechwriter to presidents, presidential candidates and Congressional leaders over a 30-year period, died at home June 8 from cancer.
A resident of McLean, Virginia, Mr. Gavin was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. There, he graduated from St. Michael’s High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree at the New Jersey City University. He then earned a Master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Gavin wrote for and advised President Nixon, presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, Senator James Buckley and, for 18 years, was the senior writer on the staff of House of Representatives Republican leader Rep. Bob Michel, Illinois Republican.
Mr. Gavin was the author of two nonfiction books, “Street Corner Conservative” and “Speechwright: An Insider’s Take on Political Rhetoric” and two comic novels, “One Hell of a Candidate,” and “The Ernesto ’Che’ Guevara School for Wayward Girls.”
He is survived by his wife 54 years, Katherine Gavin; two daughters, Alison Gavin of McLean and Nancy Mills of Missoula, Montana; one son, William B. Gavin and his wife Vivian of New Providence, Pennsylvania; and three granddaughters, Leah Whaley (and her husband Neal), Raina Gavin and Jasmine Gavin.
Private services were held in McLean on June 15.
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