When at the age 8 or 9 an older brother started using the name "Judge"
to tease him, comparing him with the local Justice of the Peace,
apparently a homely little man. After repeated use, the kids in the
neighborhood started using it and the nickname stuck. Although
originally hating it, Wetzel became so used to this name that he used
it in screen credits throughout his career at Walt Disney Productions,
only reverting to "Wetzel O. Whitaker" in the credits of Brigham Young
University productions. He was known throughout his life as "Judge" by
family, friends and fellow film folk.