Centennial Celebration of Walt and Lillian’s Nuptials...

[buzz2001]

It’s a centennial celebration of Walt and Lillian’s nuptials

By Leo N Holzer

 

Walt and Lillian Disney's marriage — a testament to love, partnership, and creativity — was forged a century ago on July 13, 1925.

 

The couple’s journey began with Lillian Marie Bounds, born on Feb. 15, 1899, in Spalding, Idaho. Growing up as the youngest of 10 children in a struggling family. She was raised on the nearby Nez Perce Indian Reservation, where her father worked as a blacksmith and federal marshal.

 

In 1923, Lillian made the bold decision to move to Los Angeles to join her sister Hazel. It was there that she found a job in the Ink Department at The Walt Disney Studio, where she first met Walt.

 

The interaction between them was immediate. Walt, who had a new car, would often drive Lillian and her female coworkers home, yet she noticed that she was always the last one he dropped off, enjoying good conversations and igniting a spark of interest.

 

Their relationship blossomed as Lillian became Walt’s secretary and provided him with invaluable support. It was during this time that she saved him from a potential branding blunder by suggesting the name "Mickey Mouse" instead of Walt’s original "Mortimer Mouse." This pivotal moment showcased not only Lillian’s charm but also her keen insights, which would contribute to Walt's creative journey.

 

On their wedding day, the couple celebrated their union in a small celebratory ceremony at the home of Lillian’s brother, Sydney O. Bounds, in Lewiston, Idaho. Surrounded by family and close friends, the intimate affair was filled with warmth and laughter.

 

Dressed in a lovely lavender gown, Lillian giggled through the ceremony, a testament to her joyful spirit. Walt presented her with a simple white gold wedding ring adorned with tiny diamonds, which, despite its modesty, held profound significance for him.

 

Following their wedding, the newlyweds embarked on a honeymoon adventure to Mt. Rainier National Park. Their journey included a stop in Portland, Oregon, to visit Walt’s parents, Flora and Elias, and his sister, Ruth, before they made their way back to Los Angeles by steamer boat.

 

Arriving back in August, they settled into a small apartment that cost just $40 a month. Lillian decided to step back from her job, although she would occasionally help at the studio when needed.

 

Throughout their life together, Lillian proved to be an indispensable partner in Walt’s endeavors. She accompanied him on significant trips around the world, including a goodwill tour of South America in 1941 and a handful of visits to Marceline, Missouri.

 

Lillian’s impact on Walt's life was further immortalized when he named his personal backyard train locomotive the “Lilly Belle” in her honor, a name that also graces both a charming parlor car at Disneyland and a locomotive at Walt Disney World.

 

After Walt’s death in 1966, Lillian continued to honor their shared legacy. She played a key role in the development of the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) and The Walt Disney Concert Hall. She was also present for the openings of the Walt Disney World and Epcot, and, in 1968, she returned to Marceline to celebrate the issue of the Walt Disney stamp.

 

Lillian's life came to a bittersweet end when she suffered a stroke on Dec. 15, 1997, exactly 31 years after Walt’s passing. She passed away the following day, leaving behind not only a cherished legacy of their marriage but a lasting influence on the world that her husband had helped create.

 

Remarkably, the Idaho home where they exchanged their vows, located at 918 Third St., Lewiston, still stands today, almost unchanged from that historic day.