William Girdler

• Name — William Girdler • Birth Name — William Brent Girdler • Born — 22 October 1947 • Birthplace — Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. • Died — 21 January 1978 (age 30) • Place of death — Manila, Philippines • Occupation — * Film director • screenwriter • composer • film producer • Years Active — 1965–1978

Girdler was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He made his first films with a home movie camera at the age of 8 and by the age of 23, produced his first film, Asylum of Satan. He was the founder of the Mid-America Pictures corporation. Among the films he directed were Asylum of Satan (1971), Three on a Meathook (1972), Zebra Killers (1973), Abby (1974), Sheba, Baby (1974), Project: Kill (1975), Grizzly (1976), Day of the Animals (1977), and The Manitou (1978), was his last film he made and released a few weeks after his death.

William Girdler died in a helicopter crash in the Philippines about 30 miles from Manila on January 21, 1978. Along with producer Patrick Allan Kelly, Girdler was scouting filming locations for a film about drug smuggling. The body was flown from Manila to Los Angeles for a memorial service. His remains were later flown to Louisville, where he was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery.

Girdler was married twice. He was first married to Barbara Peter (1945–2013). They had two children: a son, William Brent Girdler Jr, and a daughter, Barbara Laurice Girdler. Girdler was later married to photographer Avis Ann Smith, until the time of his death in 1978.