William L Bill Hendricks

William L. (Bill) Hendricks, the retired Marine Corps colonel who was inspired by a homemade rag doll to found the Toys for Tots campaign that has brought a measure of Christmas festivity to millions of needy youngsters for 45 years, has died. Hendricks, whose civilian career included the production of films, cartoons and TV commercials for Warner Bros., was 87 when he died Sunday. He was a longtime resident of Burbank.

William L. (Bill) Hendricks, the retired Marine Corps colonel who was inspired by a homemade rag doll to found the Toys for Tots campaign that has brought a measure of Christmas festivity to millions of needy youngsters for 45 years, has died. Hendricks, whose civilian career included the production of films, cartoons and TV commercials for Warner Bros., was 87 when he died Sunday. He was a longtime resident of Burbank.