Obituaries : William H.D. Cotrell Jr.; Helped Create Disneyland

William H.D. Cotrell Jr., Walt Disney’s right-hand man and one of the creators of the famed Anaheim theme park, died late Friday at St. Joseph Hospital Medical Center in Burbank, his family announced Sunday. He was 89.

Cotrell, known as Uncle Bill to colleagues, began his career with Disney as a cameraman and worked as a cutter, animation director and writer on such projects as “Pinocchio,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan.”

But Cotrell earned his standing as a “Disney Legend,” an honor he received last year, as close advisor to the company’s founder during the years when Disneyland was conceived and created. Beginning in 1952, Cotrell headed the division of the company that designed and built the theme park, which opened in 1955.

“It was Walt who said, ‘Let there be Disneyland,’ like the good Lord said, ‘Let there be a world,’ ” said Marvin Davis, Cotrell’s son-in-law. “But it was Uncle Bill who was his counselor and right-hand man.”

Cotrell is also credited with helping develop the “Zorro” television series and, as an avid Sherlock Holmes fan, with suggesting the idea that led to “The Great Mouse Detective,” Disney’s 1986 animated feature.

From 1964 until he retired in 1982, Cotrell was president of Retlaw (Walter spelled backward), the company that conducted business for the Disney family.