As we reported earlier according to the TSSD web site Bill McMaster of BMC Toys has passed away. Bill has been a force in our hobby first creating historical playsets that were sold in Toys R US and later help various makers such as TSSD, Barzso Collectibles and Paragon to name a few to get figures done. Because of Bill we got many exciting new figures to add to our collection.
I don’t remember how Stad’s got first involved with Bill and BMC Toys. I do know we carried all of his playsets start with the Alamo playset. Laurie and I found him a very nice and personable person. Always interest in our input, Bill would listen to our suggestions and thoughts. One time we found out at the New York Toy Fair someone else selling his Civil War playset and informed to stop it.
Sadly Bill’s tenure at Toy R US ended. I was sad because having his playsets in Toy R US introduce the concept of playsets to the next generation. Bill did not let this loss stop him, he opened a store and became agent and advisor to TSSD to get their figures done in China. The process of getting figures is not easy. Bill’s knowledge of the Chinese market allow people to get figures less hassle.
After I closed the business, we would still see Bill at the East Coast Toy Soldier Show. The picture at the top was taken the last time I saw him. I had stopped at his stand and talked about his plans. Bill said he had some projects planned that were on hold for various reasons. I wished him well on the projects and figured to see him next year. Sadly that will not happen.
Bill will be missed and we are glad that we knew him.
This is a real loss. Bill McMaster’s playsets were a real breath of fresh air in the 1990’s, giving kids something else to play with than generic armymen. Some of his sets, such as the San Juan Hill and Iwo Jima playsets were real gems. What better epitaph than the fact that he made a lot of people’s lives happier.
Dan
I could not agree more with your words.
Very sad end of the year news .but beautiful legacy he left x us to enjoy and will be remembered!
Right Erwin,sad news !
Very saddened by the news of Bill’s passing. He was one of the best guys in the hobby, with a contagious smile and a great sense of humor. He will be missed.
BMC released the last true mass production,
all original, all plastic playsets to ever be released??
He got playsets back into the hands of kids. He will be missed not only by his family but by toy soldier collectors world wide.
Kent
What was nice they were historical sets of important battles of American History. doubtful anyone is going to do that today.
I can’t say that I really knew the man, but any contributor to the hobby as he was will be sorely missed.
As I’ve said elsewhere, I met him a couple times. Nice man, my wife also was saddened to hear of his passing as she remembers him fondly, too. I couldn’t say better than others already have on the positive impact he had not only on the hobby but on education. I’ve mentioned elsewhere how I bought my kids and grandkids his stuff to introduce them. Even without Toys R Us his stuff is still sold widely at Hobby Lobby, historic sites, and other places. No telling how many kids used his historical figures in their history projects at school. I love my higher priced guys, but face it, who wants to let your grandkid take your X-Force or TSSD figures to school for a history project? And how many other kids know where to buy them?
I’m just reading this on 3 JAN. I had no idea this had happened and was telling my son about his sets just today. So sorry to read this and it is a blow to the hobby. What I loved about Bill’s stuff is that it was truly toys; rugged, simple, made to be played with. The affordability and availability was a great factor for the collector and in attracting new hobbyists of any age.