Photo: Congressional Employee — Public domainSource
William J. Coyne
politician
- August 24, 1936
- November 3, 2013
- 77 years
About William J. Coyne
William J. Coyne, 77, American politician, member of the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania (1981–2003).
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Full Biography
|William Joseph Coyne (August 24, 1936 – November 3, 2013) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1981 to 2003.
Early life and education
Coyne was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1954, and received a B.S. in accounting from Robert Morris College.
He served two years in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957. He served as a supply sergeant in Korea. After completing his military service, he set up a private accounting firm.
Political career
From 1970 to 1972 he was member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and a member of the Pittsburgh City Council from 1974 to 1980.
Congress
Coyne was elected to Congress in 1980, succeeding 24-year incumbent William S. Moorhead in a district taking in most of Pittsburgh. He was reelected ten times, never facing serious opposition. He was a longtime member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Retirement and death
In 2002, Coyne's district was combined with the district of Mike Doyle, a somewhat more moderate Democrat. Although the new district contained more of Coyne's territory than Doyle's, Coyne retired to avoid the possibility of two Democratic incumbents facing each other in the primary elections.
Coyne died at the age of 77 on November 3, 2013, two months after falling and sustaining head injuries.
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_J._Coyne
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- View record
- September 29, 2026
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 16 questions
Questions drawn from William J. Coyne's archived record and the sources above.
1.How many times was William Joseph Coyne reelected to Congress?
- A.Eight times
- B.Ten timescorrect
- C.Twelve times
- D.Five times
William Joseph Coyne was reelected to Congress ten times.
Source: Congress section
2.William Joseph Coyne was a longtime member of which congressional committee?
- A.Appropriations Committee
- B.Ways and Means Committeecorrect
- C.Foreign Affairs Committee
- D.Judiciary Committee
William Joseph Coyne was a longtime member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Source: Congress section
3.In what year did William Joseph Coyne retire from Congress?
- A.2004
- B.2006
- C.2002correct
- D.2000
William Joseph Coyne retired from Congress in 2002.
Source: Retirement and death section
4.Why did William Joseph Coyne choose to retire in 2002?
- A.To run for Governor
- B.To avoid a primary against Mike Doylecorrect
- C.Due to health concerns
- D.To accept a cabinet position
William Joseph Coyne retired to avoid the possibility of two Democratic incumbents facing each other in the primary.
Source: Retirement and death section
5.At what age did William Joseph Coyne pass away?
- A.81
- B.77correct
- C.75
- D.79
William Joseph Coyne died at the age of 77 on November 3, 2013.
Source: Retirement and death section
6.What was the cause of the head injuries that preceded William Joseph Coyne's death?
- A.A car accident
- B.A workplace incident
- C.A fallcorrect
- D.A sporting accident
William Joseph Coyne died two months after falling and sustaining head injuries.
Source: Retirement and death section
7.In what city was William Joseph Coyne born?
- A.Pittsburghcorrect
- B.Scranton
- C.Philadelphia
- D.Harrisburg
William Joseph Coyne was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Source: Early life and education section
8.In what year did William Joseph Coyne graduate from Central Catholic High School?
- A.1956
- B.1954correct
- C.1952
- D.1950
William Joseph Coyne graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1954.
Source: Early life and education section
9.What degree did William Joseph Coyne receive from Robert Morris College?
- A.B.A. in history
- B.B.S. in accountingcorrect
- C.B.S. in business administration
- D.B.A. in political science
William Joseph Coyne received a B.S. in accounting from Robert Morris College.
Source: Early life and education section
10.During which years did William Joseph Coyne serve in the United States Army?
- A.1950-1952
- B.1955-1957correct
- C.1965-1967
- D.1960-1962
William Joseph Coyne served two years in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957.
Source: Early life and education section
11.What rank did William Joseph Coyne hold while serving in Korea?
- A.Supply sergeantcorrect
- B.Lieutenant
- C.Captain
- D.Corporal
William Joseph Coyne served as a supply sergeant in Korea.
Source: Early life and education section
12.What profession did William Joseph Coyne pursue after completing his military service?
- A.Journalist
- B.Private accounting firm ownercorrect
- C.Teacher
- D.Attorney
After completing his military service, William Joseph Coyne set up a private accounting firm.
Source: Early life and education section
13.William Joseph Coyne served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives during which years?
- A.1974-1976
- B.1980-1982
- C.1970-1972correct
- D.1968-1970
William Joseph Coyne was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1970 to 1972.
Source: Political career section
14.William Joseph Coyne served on the Pittsburgh City Council during which time frame?
- A.1980-1984
- B.1972-1974
- C.1966-1970
- D.1974-1980correct
William Joseph Coyne was a member of the Pittsburgh City Council from 1974 to 1980.
Source: Political career section
15.In what year was William Joseph Coyne first elected to Congress?
- A.1982
- B.1984
- C.1980correct
- D.1978
William Joseph Coyne was elected to Congress in 1980.
Source: Congress section
16.Whom did William Joseph Coyne succeed as the representative for his district?
- A.William S. Moorheadcorrect
- B.John P. Murtha
- C.Mike Doyle
- D.Robert A. Borski
William Joseph Coyne succeeded 24-year incumbent William S. Moorhead in 1980.
Source: Congress section
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