Bill Brickle

We are sorry to report that showman William "Bill" Brickle, passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2017. He was 90 Years old.

Bill Brickle grew up in Cope, South Carolina. After graduating from Cope High School in 1945, Bill served for several years in the U.S. military and then entered The Alviene School of Drama and Ballet in New York City.

While attending Alviene, Brickle supported himself by working at the Statler Hilton Hotel. The hotel offered Bill a better position at their Los Angeles location. He accepted the job and began making plans to move to California, however before moving across the country he visited his home of Cope. As fate would have it, the Cristiani Bros. Circus was showing Cope during Bill's visit. The circus was advertising for a clown. Brickle went to the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds, auditioned for the job and was hired, the year was 1953. Thus began Bill's long career in the circus industry.

In Bill's 60+ years in show business he has worn many hats, that of circus clown, ringmaster, dog act performer and circus owner.

Bill is perhaps best known for his spectacular dog act "Brickle's Poodle Fantasy", in which Brickle dressed in top hat and tales and poodles, dressed in elaborate gowns danced their way into audiences hearts.

Bills has also, for many years owned and operated his "Wonderland Circus".

William A "Bill" Brickle passed away October 14, 2017. Bill Brickle was a WW II US Army Veteran.