Willie will probably come back bushier than before. You may not get much of a bloom this year and may sucker quite a bit. I doubt you killed him.

WB isn't affectionately referred to as "T-Rex" for nothing. As Karl says, I too doubt you could have killed him that easily. However, it sure sounds like you would be happier with a different rose in that location - perhaps you might want to think about moving him this spring before he wakes up since he's nice and compact at the moment...

While it is possible to kill woody shrubs by pruning them to the ground in late summer or early fall, I doubt very much that it will be that simple to kill Mr. Baffin that way. I work in restoration ecology and we do control invasive shrubs, including some wild roses, by brushcutting or mowing that time of year. It's not 100% effective but it is pretty good.

Thanks for all of your comments. I feel a little more optimistic now.

I've yet to come up with a place WB might be happier (and more free to grow), but will continue to think about that while he's relatively moveable...very good point.

Reg_pnw7, your comment about the invasive shrubs was helpful in a different way. We have a number of those around here, and I'll try to get to a fall cutting this year.

Thanks to all!