William Alexander’s Death – Cause and Date

William “Bill” Alexander, born Wilhelm Alexander on April 2, 1915, in East Prussia (now part of Germany), passed away on January 24, 1997, in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, at the age of 81.

A German-born painter and art instructor, Alexander is best known for his television series The Magic of Oil Painting, which aired on PBS from 1974 to 1982. Through this program, he introduced viewers to the “wet-on-wet” oil painting technique, making the art form more accessible to the public.

His approachable teaching style and emphasis on creativity over technical perfection inspired countless amateur artists.​ With every stroke of his brush and enthusiastic “Yes, yes, you can do it!” Bill broke down the barriers of the art world, encouraging viewers to create “happy little trees” long before that phrase became iconic through his student, Bob Ross. Though Ross would go on to become a cultural phenomenon, it was Alexander who paved the path.

Before his television career, Alexander served in the German military during World War II. After being captured by Allied forces, he began painting portraits of officers’ wives, which eventually led him to the United States. There, he continued his artistic journey, culminating in his role as a beloved art educator on television.​