The Glencoe & District Historical Society mourns the loss of Ken Willis, our friend, longtime historian and museum keeper for Wardsville, Newbury, and the Township of Mosa.
For decades, Ken devoted himself to preserving the stories of his community. As Historian and Manager of the Wardsville Historical Museum, he gathered, catalogued, and cared for an extraordinary collection of photographs, documents, and artifacts housed in a historic building on Longwoods Road in Wardsville. Every item in that collection reflected Ken’s deep commitment to making sure the people and places of Wardsville would not be forgotten.
Ken was also an author, having written A History of Wardsville, Volumes 1 and 2 — works that stand as a lasting record of his research and his love for the village’s story.
Last year, Ken made a decision that speaks to his lifelong dedication: he arranged for the entire contents of the Wardsville Historical Museum to be transferred into the custodianship of the Glencoe & District Historical Society, ensuring that the collection he had spent a lifetime building would be preserved for future generations. True to form, Ken’s concern was not only for the artifacts themselves, but for the people of Wardsville — he wanted to be sure that the residents of the village he loved would continue to be looked after, and that their history would remain accessible to them.
The Society is honoured to now serve as steward of Ken’s collection, and we take seriously the responsibility he entrusted to us. His photographs, documents, and personal papers — many with carefully documented provenance — will help tell the story of Wardsville for years to come.
Ken Willis will be remembered as a dedicated historian, a careful keeper of memory, and a generous friend to everyone who shared his passion for local history. Our thoughts are with his family and all who knew him.
Playlist of Ken Willis videos
