Legendary Animator Walt Kimball died yesterday of natural causes. Kimball was hired by Walt Disney himself in 1934 and became one of Walt Disney’’s “Nine Old Men”. Kimball was their right from the start, working as an animator on Snow White before being promoted to director.

He directed many of the Disney “Classics” including Peter Pan, Fantasia, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, The Three Caballeros, and Dumbo. He worked on many characters over the years but will probably be remembered by most for his creation of Jiminy Cricket for Pinocchio.

Ward directed two Academy Award winning cartoons: “Adventures in Music: Toot Whistle Plunk and Boom” in 1953 and “It’’s Tough To Be a Bird” in 1969.

In 1948 Ward founded the world famous Dixieland band the Firehouse Five Plus Two. The band recorded several albums together and recorded a great live album at Disneyland’’s Golden Horseshoe Revue.

In 1972 Ward retired but continued to work for Disney as a consultant. He became involved in several Disneyland attractions as well as the World of Motion Attraction at Epcot.

Ward is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty; three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Anyone who has heard me babble about how incredible “Mars and Beyond” is knows how big of a fan I am of Ward Kimball. He was an amazing talent and will always stand as a giant in the history of animation.