Billy Vogle

Billy Vogle died on the morning of Saturday 24 October 2026, aged 71, after a prolonged battle with cancer. His death was confirmed by county officials and reported by Smokey Barn News, FOX 17 and Main Street Media of Tennessee. State Senator Kerry Roberts said: "Robertson County has lost a legend." Robertson County Mayor Keith Hoover ordered flags on all county property to fly at half-staff for a week from 26 October. Tributes came from the Chamber of Commerce, Robertson County EMS, Robertson County Schools and the cities of Cross Plains and Greenbrier. Funeral arrangements had not been announced at the time of the first reports.

William A. "Billy" Vogle graduated from Jo Byrns High School in Robertson County, Tennessee, in 1973. He and his wife, Cindy, had three children: Jill, Will and Matt.

Before entering politics Vogle worked at the Adams/Cedar Hill Water Plant and spent 14 years with the L&N and CSX railroad. He farmed tobacco and cattle, was president of Tobacco Pride Inc. from 1991 to 2000 and owned a small business in Adams.

He was elected to the Robertson County Commission in 1998 and represented District 7 for 20 years, serving on the budget, education, landfill, law enforcement and nominating committees. On 2 August 2018 he was elected county mayor, succeeding Howard Bradley, and took office that September. He was re-elected in 2022 and announced that he would not run again in 2026.

As mayor he sat ex officio on the board of the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce, which said he attended 415 of the 416 commission meetings held during his tenure. During his illness he continued to work on projects including land for a new TCAT campus and funding for a county human resources department. He retired at the end of his second term in August 2026. That year the Tennessee General Assembly adopted Senate Joint Resolution 1102 recognising his 28 years of service; it was signed by Governor Bill Lee on 1 May 2026 and presented to him by State Senator Kerry Roberts at the August commission meeting.

Vogle was a member of Adams United Methodist Church and of Red River Lodge No. 537, where he served three terms as Master. He was also president of the Fisherman's Club in Adams, a community organisation his successor described as having helped many local people. Colleagues remembered his humour, which he often used to ease tension in long meetings.

Vogle is remembered as a steady, plain spoken leader who gave nearly three decades to Robertson County government during a period of rapid growth. Robertson County EMS said he "didn't give orders, rather he took the lead", and the state of Tennessee entered his service into its permanent record through Senate Joint Resolution 1102.