Longtime Barrington resident and television news reporter Bill Rappleye died on Thursday, Jan. 7, following a battle with cancer. He was 66 years old.

Mr. Rappleye worked as a political reporter for NBC10 for nearly 18 years and more recently was the senior correspondent and co-host of Rhode Island PBS Weekly.

After news broke of his passing, a number of state officials offered tributes to the longtime journalist.

“Bill Rappleye was a unique talent, a superb journalist, and a gifted story teller,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed. “When you were a guest on Bill's show or the subject of an interview, he never hesitated to ask tough questions, but he always gave you time to answer, listened to what you had to say, and asked thoughtful follow ups. He had a big heart and a great sense of humor and was just a salt of the earth kind of person. But I think it was his tenacity and empathy that really connected with audiences and those who were fortunate to know him. We will miss Bill, but we certainly won’t forget him.”

State Treasurer Seth Magaziner also commented.

“I am heartbroken to hear of Bill Rappleye's passing. He was a tremendous reporter who dedicated his career to informing the Rhode Island public, and his presence will be missed by many,” he said. “Bill was everything a journalist should be: smart, curious, witty, tough when he needed to be, and always fair. He was the first to interview me when I announced my candidacy for Treasurer, and I enjoyed our rapport ever since. My condolences go out to his family during such a difficult time."

Mr. Rappleye was a consistent contributor to political coverage in Rhode Island. Early in his career he held positions in New York and Boston, and returned to his native Rhode Island in 2002. For 16 of his 18 years at WJAR, Mr. Rappleye hosted 10 News Conference. He won many awards, including a national award from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors, and a regional Emmy.

A year ago he joined Rhode Island PBS, filling an important role in the Rhode Island PBS Weekly program.

“We mourn this profound personal and professional loss,” said David W. Piccerelli, president of WSBE Rhode Island PBS. “Bill had an incredible passion for his profession and was a well-respected journalist known for his integrity. Our deepest condolences go out to Bill’s family. We share their sadness, as Bill was an important member of our Rhode Island PBS family.”

Others at RI PBS also mourned Mr. Rappleye’s passing.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of Bill’s passing today,” said Kim Keough, director of Production at Rhode Island PBS. “He was a good friend and colleague, a true journalist. But most importantly, he was an amazing father to his daughters. I will never forget a conversation we had at a field hockey game; I told him about this new broadcast we were developing and asked if he knew a good reporter. I am forever grateful my phone rang a few weeks later, and it was Rapp.”

“My heart sank when I heard that Bill Rappleye had passed away today,” said Barbara Dury, executive producer of Rhode Island PBS Weekly. “Rapp, as he has been so fondly known for most of his career, was a tenacious and dogged journalist and it has been a great honor to have had the opportunity to work with him,” Dury said. “Bill had been ill for several months – he faced it with both courage and grace. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and with his five beautiful daughters or, as Bill would say so often to me, ‘all my special girls.’”

Mr. Rappleye leaves behind five daughters.