At 96 years of age, the beloved tv showman Bill McLain has passed away. There were rumors of his death in previous years which proved to be untrue. The brakeman was just no longer in the spotlight and the rumors of his passing were premature.
His family has verified that McLain, longtime Channel 11 KTNT/KSTW kiddie show host, passed away April 9th, surrounded by family and friends.
2013 (TNT) Feature Story: Q&A with Northwest TV Legend, Brakeman Bill
Jason Remington • April 18, 2024
Feliks Banel shares an interview he had with Bill McLain at http://MyNorthwest.com
louis • April 18, 2024
I am saddened to read this. Brakeman Bill (and Crazy Donkey) was a great childhood memory I will always treasure.
Godspeed Bill McLain.
John Fortmeyer • April 18, 2024
Wow. Brakeman Bill was very much a part of my childhood, as he was for so many Puget Sound ‘Baby Boomers.’ I first met him when I was only four years old, at Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma. Then about 30 years later, I had a terrific chat with him when I worked in the newsroom at the Astoria, Oregon newspaper and he was doing promotional work for Channel 11. A very nice man.