Phil Willmarth
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Philip Reed Willmarth (August 19, 1931 - September 16, 2014) was an American magician, magic historian, lecturer, author and editor. He was president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians between 2007 and 2008, and had been a member of the organization since 1969.[1]
Phil Willmarth was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He became interested in magic when his physician father gave him a book on the topic. Wilmarth began performing magic while studying at Allegheny College, where he received a bachelor's degree in Arts in Communications in 1953. He later joined the Army, serving stateside. He began working for the Tatham-Laird Agency, and later founded his own company. Wilmarth returned to magic, moving to Arlington Heights, Illinois in the 1950s. Wilmarth relocated to Durham, North Carolina, in 1998, and died there of cancer on September 16, 2014, aged 83.[1] Willmarth appeared on the cover of The Linking Ring three times.[2] His remains were interred at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon, MI in August 2015.[2]
