
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, October 24, 1994                   TAG: 9410250044
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LAUREL, MD.                                LENGTH: Short

EX-PRESIDENT OF CBS DIES AT AGE 78

William A. Leonard, who capped his career as CBS News president after influencing network media stars from Edward R. Murrow to Dan Rather and helping develop shows such as ``60 Minutes,'' died Sunday of a stroke. He was 78.

Leonard died at Laurel Regional Hospital, according to Tom Goodman, a spokesman for CBS. He lived in Washington, D.C.

Leonard was responsible for the selection of Rather to succeed Walter Cronkite as anchor of the ``CBS Evening News.'' Earlier, he had been a key figure in the creation of ``60 Minutes,'' as well as of techniques for rapidly predicting the outcome of political races.

Andy Rooney of ``60 Minutes'' fame described Leonard as someone who ``grew up with broadcasting and ... helped broadcasting grow up.''

- Associated Press

by CNB