Spreading joy with handcrafted toys

Glenn Willsey, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, has spent decades making spirits bright with his handmade wooden toys and collectibles. Willsey and his late wife, Margret, relocated to Holmes County with their family in 1980, and by 1985, they had transformed their home into a workshop, crafting treasures that they hoped would bring joy to children far and wide.

Willsey donned his toymaker’s hat, creating wooden creations, while Margret stitched baby blankets and other cozy accessories, many of which added an extra layer of charm to her husband’s toys. Over the years, their collaboration became a jingle-worthy operation, producing thousands of toys that have sleighed their way across the United States and even overseas.

Now approaching his 93rd year, Willsey continues to build toys with the same care and precision. Though his pace has slowed, his attention to detail and quality remains timeless. Many of his creations, crafted over a quarter-century ago, are still in operation in homes today. His workshop’s lineup includes toy cars, planes, trains, trucks, tractors, rocking horses, and even cleaning caddies complete with wooden tools. When he’s not making toys, Willsey has also assembled furniture pieces like tables, chairs, and step stools—proving he’s a jack-of-all-trades in the workshop.

Willsey finds his joy in seeing the smiles his toys bring to children’s faces. While his creations are rarely sold these days, Willsey says that he has tried to embody a spirit of giving. This past year, he donated hundreds of toys to a charity fundraiser benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. True to his role as a real-life Kris Kringle, Willsey demonstrated how his toys work and shared heartwarming tales with attendees.

Willsey has made several rides to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home in Tallahassee, delivering handcrafted toys to children. Each year, he crafts a surprise toy to delight the children at his church during Christmas. Willsey stated he wanted to ensure the children have something to unwrap that’s built with care and love.

From puzzles and toolboxes to custom-designed creations, his work embodies the spirit of holiday cheer and creativity. As he continues sharing his skills and stories, Willsey’s legacy as a merry toymaker remains a part of the Holmes County community, spreading yuletide joy wherever his creations land.