Girdler was born in
Louisville, Kentucky. He made his first films with a home movie camera at the age of 8 and by the age of 23, produced his first film,
Asylum of Satan. The body was flown from Manila to Los Angeles for a memorial service. His remains were later flown to Louisville, where he was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery.
Personal life Girdler was married twice. He was first married to Barbara Peter (1945–2013). They had two children: a son, William Brent Girdler Jr, and a daughter, Barbara Laurice Girdler. Girdler was later married to photographer Avis Ann Smith, until the time of his death in 1978. ==References==