American Dreams in a 10-Gallon Hat: Why the Death of ‘Marshal Wild Windy Bill McKay’ Is a Sad Thing for All of Us
- Posted on July 13, 2011 at 10:41am by
Jessie Abrams
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A musician. An actor. A storyteller. Magic.
Call him whatever you want, Daniel Claps touched the lives of millions through his 50-year career performing as the beloved cowboy Marshal Wild Windy Bill McKay.
Marshal Wild Windy Bill’s act in Ghost Town was a staple at Storytown U.S.A. in upstate New York (which later became the Great Escape and then Splashwater Kingdom). His routine epitomized the triumph of good over evil as he deputized children with special tin badges so they could help him capture bank robbers and keep the streets of Ghost Town safe.
Even if you never had a chance to see the Marshal in action, or even ever heard of him, the news of his death this week should cause every American heart to ache at the loss.
To begin to understand why, transport yourself back to 1966 in this YouTube video of one family’s truly American vacation. Wild Windy Bill McKay becomes the star at the at the 6:55 mark in the video:
So, when Claps passed away last Saturday at the age of 90, did he take a chunk of the young Americana heart with him? Is there a special hole in the kid soul gaping to be filled with dazzling songs and stories of a tough cowboys fighting for good?
“It may sound like a cliche to say part of my childhood is gone, but it’s the absolute fact in this case,” writes Jay Bobbin in a response to a blog post on timesunion.com by Chuck Miller.
But the outlook isn’t all bad. Not to belittle Claps, but one writer suggests The Marshal was more of a symbol anyway.
“The Marshal was in many ways iconic of what is good about this country; he was a positive role model when positive role models are at times difficult to find; he crossed all political, social, religious and racial barriers,” Tony Fappiano writes. He remembers Daniel Claps as, “a man who made a huge difference.”
Daniel Claps and his character made a difference to James Pavoldi, too. Pavoldi looks back fondly on the trips to the park and says he’s held onto his tin badge, like the one below, for at least thirty years since he earned it helping The Marshal fight robbers.
Image courtesy of James Pavoldi
“I doubt even he truly understood the impact he was having,” Pavoldi said. ”The highlight of these trips was often making sure we had enough caps and our cap guns were in good working order before being deputized by Marshal Wild Windy Bill and going on a community patrol to pretty much save the town from the bad guys,” he said.
Can you even imagine a new amusement park in America today allowing kids to run around with guns shooting bad guys?
For more pictures of Wild Windy Bill over the years, check out a great slideshow by the TimesUnion here.
Miller tells The Blaze:
What Marshal Wild Windy Bill McKay did for 50 years was epitomize the true spirit of a children’s entertainer. He created a world where the good guys always win over the bad guys, and that if you grow up – doing the right thing – saying your prayers and believing in yourself – you can achieve anything in the world. How many of those junior deputies have gone on to law enforcement or the military or to be EMT’s or firefighters or leaders of society? How many thousands of kids kept their Ghost Town badges as treasures of their youth? Too many to even begin to count.
I believe that with the passing of Wild Windy Bill McKay, a chapter does close on the type of regional entertainment that these theme parks were best known for. We don‘t have children’s TV show hosts any more – there are no Sally Starr or Major Mudd to guide our growth; they’ve been replaced by entertainers like Barney or the Teletubbies or Harry Potter. It’s not the same. And I don‘t think we’ll ever experience anything like that again.
Marshal Wild Windy Bill McKay is gone, but the lessons learned from the man in the 10-gallon hat will, no doubt, long live on in the hearts and minds of every kid that ever walked out of Storytown holding a tin badge and knowing they had helped win the day.
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Comments (56)
captaingrumpy
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 5:33pmDid Harry Reid’s Bill pay for this town, ??????? More Cowboy Poetry
Report Post »sundance_sp
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 10:51pmOh geez, may he rest in peace. A man like that, to that for so many years, in my opinion makes him a true American hero! We have/had his equivilents to him here in the west (Southern California) and the memories I have of gentlemen like him I will take with me to my end. The true American spirit will live on for many years to come. We still have a little of that here in the form of Knott’s Berry Farm, and a few others, I’m sure. But still, this man was obviously unique, and through a simple, probably minimum wage job, he was to make his place in this world. God bless you Marshall McKay. Your job is done here. May you be with God at this moment.
Report Post »spotster
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 3:48pmhey zombie cant wait to make your aquaintance in real life in the very near future
Report Post »I Luv America
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 3:41pmI have no idea if there is a connection, but wasn‘t Bill McKay the name Robert Redford’s character in “The Candidate”?
Report Post »Gann0n8r
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 3:32pmThe passing of any true American is a loss to us all. We can’t afford to loose them. Who is taking their place?
Report Post »I guess it is up to us, the living, to keep alive their memories and values.
May God help us do so.
CM Sackett
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 4:06pm“I guess it is up to us, the living, to keep alive their memories and values.
May God help us do so.”
That is how it has always been… and ever shall be.
Report Post »Sackett
LimaBean
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 2:25pmMy goodness…i wasn’t born yet (at the time of the first video). My ability to say that (truthfully, wink wink) is getting less and less often. lol!
Report Post »You”ll be missed Bill McKay…happy trails!
NWalters78
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 2:23pmThis ole guy sounds cool. Rest in Heaven, Wild Bill, you brought joy to generations of kids and parents. And to all of you haters, I guess you prefer pervs and whatnot as role models. We’re losing the Greatest Generation, and they cannot be replaced or replicated. This straight up sucks. FYI, I was born in the late 70s and my grandparents had me watch the old B&W Westerns and TV shows. Good and evil fought, evil lost. Heck yeah. Now, the bad guys have a sob story……sheesh.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:41pmZOMBIE.. great name for YOU. Idiot. Go back to the HUFFY PO where they appreciate all your hate.
Report Post »nysparkie
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:15pmTrue Americana. From a time when life was slower, more neighborly, honest (Leaving the house without locking your doors). A time some of us more “experienced” posters remember fondly and wax wonderingly at how things got as they are today. Too bad the youth of today will probably never experience of what I blab.
Report Post »suran
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:37pmHow true, and how very sad….
Report Post »GENEPAGLIARI
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 3:06pmActually, the times began to change prior to the video. In 1962 to be exact. That was when the supreme court kicked THE SUPREME BEING out of public schools and not long afterwards our society began to collapse. GOD is a gentleman and will not be around where HE is not wanted.
Report Post »Lover of America
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:00pmI see why you’re called MOSSBRAIN, apparently that‘s about all that’s in you’re head is moss. The truth always hurts huh? You are an idiot.
Report Post »patriotone
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:57pmThis has to be an old story. I believe he passed away 2 or 3 years ago. I was at the Great Escape (season ticket holder) when they had a memorial service of sorts for him
Report Post »patriotone
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:27pmOK, what I remember was when he RETIRED. God Rest his soul.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:51pmI was around back then. I feel sorry for my kids never experiencing those days and a bit farther back. Today thanks to Democrats, everything is cr ap.
Report Post »netmail
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:15pmIMO, by the afternoon of Nov 22, 1963, the glue, the dreams, and very soul of America was traumatized to a degree to which it never fully recovered. I believe it changed our perceptions of society forever, which ultimately lead us to where we are today. Wild Windy Bill McKay was old enough, wise enough and a good enough person to buck that trend throughout his entire life. God Bless him. Thank you Wild Bill “Claps”.
Report Post »Ken
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:15pmSpeaking of the ‘old west’ parks like that, we used to have one near Silver Springs in Florida called “Six Gun Territory,” but it closed many years ago, probably because of all the anti-gun liberals that are always trying to “take over” everything and everybody!!!
Report Post »ed0315
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:10pmWhat a better time.
Report Post »Scaz
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:31pmYes, that clip of Storytown brings back good memories. It’s weird how fresh some of the memories feel like it happened last year. Actually, I was there 40 years ago.
Report Post »BenInNY
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:54amI think I remember him. I live within an hour of Lake George & Great Escape and went there as a kid all the time. Even remember my 5th birthday there with my parents and best friend (who wouldn’t go on the ferris wheel). Storytown is pretty cool as a kid: all the buildings are pint-sized too.
Report Post »BTW, it didn’t become Splashwater Kingdom, it’s now “The Great escape & Splashwater Kingdom.”
Wayner
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:00pmAnd now look at the path your poor state has decided to take.
Report Post »SaratogaRepublican
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:36amI grew up going there every summer also. It’ll always be “StoryTown” to me.
Report Post »His show was always the highlight of day.
Jon Andrew
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:49amWow!!! I can’t believed they posted this on TheBlaze!! I’m 35, I’ve lived in Glens Falls all my life, and no Summer was complete without a trip to Storytown in Lake George. I fondly remember being deputized by Marshal Wild Bill McKay in Ghost Town sometimes twice a year. Getting a new cap gun to shoot the black hat villians off the roof, and earning my tin badge made me feel so proud. I always thought I would have had children of my own to share that experience with him. Thank you Blaze for honoring this true American Hero Daniel Claps!
Report Post »BenInNY
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:56amLUUUUCKY!! I don’t think I was ever deputized.
Report Post »Buck_Ofama
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:46pmI went there as a kid. I think I even still have a picture of me in my cowboy hat ‘six shooter’
at Storytown.
Yes, it was a VERY different time. Us old people remember and we need to remember aloud so that younger people know what we were taught about what it means to be an American,
Report Post »SaratogaRepublican
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:41amThose were some great times! I miss the train ride thru the tunnel.
Report Post »Vital
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:34amThe 50s were exciting but the 60s put us into another world…hippy hippy…dirty dirty drug abusers..that is why liberals are dopey and suffer from a mental disease. Thank GOD some of us escaped and never entered their world.
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:06pmIsn’t it time you go trim your mullet you dirty hillbilly, and go swat the flies off your 5 year old cyclops baby playing in the trash pile.
Report Post »oddball130
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:51pmMoss, you just proved his point….lmao
Report Post »Beckatude
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:23amThat was a great video ! Many of those displays are still in place…amazing! Thank you Wild Windy Bill !
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:22amAnyone remember Uncle Al and Captain Wendy from Cincy?
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:27amYes, Al was a very nice guy. He died about 5-6 years ago.
Report Post »I grew up in Tucson, until I was 8. Does anyone remember Marshall K-gun (Kagan) from there? He used to show cartoons, like all the other characters around the country.
Gonzo
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:47amgrew up in Tucson, until you were 8 and then to Cincy?
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:37pm@Gonzo
Report Post »Kentucky, actually, about 120 miles from Cincy, but ended up in Cincy since ‘85. Now live 45 miles east of Cincy on the OH river. I used to watch Battie Hattie from Cincinnati, snarfy, the cool ghoul, and all that while in KY.
JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:20amThe good old days! R.I.P. Bill, He’s in Gods hands now.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:19amThe good sheriff has been replaced by the most seedy side of Hollywood and the most vile comedy spun up since Saturday Night Live. Everywhere they look they are depicted as vile themselves esp if they are White human beings. Don’t believe me? Watch commercials lately? Commercials tell it all. Watch the denigration of White human beings their as compared to all others. No wonder no one has any respect anymore.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:29amI have noticed that since Obama became president, commercials show a lot of bi-racial people, now.
Report Post »ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:35pmA grown man walking around, a mask over his face, pointing guns everywhere! And he was doing that in the 60s? No wonder this country is so sick and twisted!
Fools like this are responsible for breeding “home grown” terrorists and gun toting NRA hooligans!
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 6:24pmZombie proves out the insanity of the left. I love that movie clip with Bob Hope, re:the professor says that the weird people are walking around with vacant eyes, not having a clue, acting like zombies. Bob Hope says, oh you mean like democraps..Hhahahahahahahahahahaha. Funny and true.
Report Post »CM Sackett
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:11amADDENDUM:
This beautiful window into AMERICA’S innocence-past does not make me ‘Nolstalgic’… IT MAKES ME RESOLVED.
Report Post »CM Sackett
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:09amInnocent. Pure. Magical.
…outstanding.
THANK YOU, Marshall Wild, Windy Bill.
Report Post »CM Sackett
Stevsea
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:07amI want to return to the ‘60’s. Notice there are no fat kids, nobody glued to their electronic gadgets. I’ll bet most people back then thought a lawsuit was a suit that attorneys wear. (sigh)
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:22amBetter go back further. The 60′s were better than today but, no panacea. That‘s the decade when all of Obama’s dope smoking, commie buddies were cutting their teeth on social justice.
Report Post »Czar Casm
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:24amGreat observation about the lack of fat kids.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:24amAs Bill Cunningham would say “That’s when men were men and women were women. In the good old days, back when AIDS was an appetite suppressant and when gay meant you were happy.”
Report Post »freeweever
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:07amGoodbye wild Bill “Claps” Mckay thank you for your service in the hearts and minds of our true American youth. Your service will ring true for a lifetime of good.
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