The question is on point since, unless Noo Lite specifically supersedes it, everything published in a Watchtower is considered doctrine.
However, the question seems to boil down to, "Who does the WTS consider a witness?" - and that can be just an arbitrary choice, pressed by local elders or instigated by headquarters. In other words, no one here can determine who the WTS decides is or isn't a JW.
Logic or consistency isn't a forte of the WTS, so any specific person can a) think differently, b) speak out, and/or c) not act right and be either considered a JW, or informally shunned, or considered to have DA'ed or be DF'ed.
IMO, having a personal belief, never advertsied, that differs from WTS dogma shouldn't result in "marking" or DFing, but we know this sometimes isn't the case. Certainly if you speak your doubts out loud you are opening yourself to accusations of apostasy. Not engaging in the preaching work has had various results (my dad has successfully argued to his local elders that since he is not of the Anointed he us not under command to preach and therefore is still considered a JW by them).
So what would you say?
I would say that if you don't believe what the WTS teaches, you are not a JW. But you can probably fly below the radar if you neve give a hint that you don't believe. If you appear to be a JW to other JWs, you will continue to be considered a JW by them.
If others suspect you have a divergent view, someone at some point may press the elders to deal with you. They may publicly reprove you if you are recalcitrant and don't convince them of your innocence, or if you admit you don't believe; they may go further and say you have DA'ed or they may DF you. Entirely depends on the elders, if the DO gets involved, if someone at WTS gets involved, how many "enemies" you have in the congregation that want to make your life miserable.
I use "you" in the imprecise theoretical way in the following:
Is the person who has developed this divergent view merely considered to be a person that others in the congregation would be wise to not have close association with?
If no one knows you hold a divergent viewpoint, the question is moot. If it becomes known, it's more a political game with the local elders.
Or, is the person just flat out not considered to be a JW any longer?
The WTS would not consider such a person a JW. Clean and simple, the article says that flat out. And really, the article is telling you to believe "or else". You should not consider yourself a JW if you don't swallow it hook, line and sinker. AGain, whether anything happens in the real world depends on whether you admit it, and your local political landscape.
The fact that he does have such divergent views has become known as a result of the elders inquiry as to why he has become inactive. Also, the person has made it quite clear to the elders that there is no chance that he will ever be convinced that his viewpoint is wrong.
Since you admit to not believing everything, you can be reproved, DF'ed or told you have DA'ed yourself.
So does the Watchtower Society view this person as still being a JW or not?
The WTS would not view you as a JW. Whether they make that official is something else. It is sometimes easier to not press the issue, in the hopes you come around eventually, or if you have a degree of political power yourself, since it might upset others if they kick you out.
