Ken Willer
Posted By thecircusblog on April 30, 2011
This photo along with others was sent to me by an old friend Robin Badal, the brother of Jack Badal, wild animal trainer. It was a very windy day as you can see in this picture, but Ken held his one finger stand in a champagne bottle despite the weather. In the back ground is the Suarez brothers. They had the riding act on the Kay Bros Circus. 1966. It is said that the blond guy in the back ground with the Suarez brothers is yours truly….Maybe?
About the author
thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
8 Responses to “Ken Willer”
Leave a Reply
Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there will be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there is no need to re-submit your comment.
Hi Ivan,
On a year long journey to the US as an 18 year old from NZ, hitch hiking around the states I joined the American Continental Circus in 1977 as a roustabout in the prop crew.
What a fantastic time!! We worked for a few months with some wonderful acts.. Herb and John Miller, Suarez Family, Eloise Berchtold, Ken Willer, Arturo Segura, etc,etc.
Do you have any old Photos or memorabilia you could share with me…I would like to show my children in New Zealand,
many thanks,
Lance Fitzpatrick
That’s my uncle kenny did you know him is he still alive I’ve been trying to find both him and Betty my name is richele czupor im the daughter of his half brother nick czupor my email address is cheleczupor28@gmail.com I would love to hear anything about him I have two children of my own and one of my most fondness memories as a child is Kenny and Betty coming to get me and my sister after my mother passed away and taking us to one of there shows it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen he showed me how to perfect my handstand my 8 year old little girl just recently asked me how to do a hand stand without falling over and his memory was the frist thing I saw so I began to tell my little girl about my uncle kenny and aunt Betty and found this web sight as I begain looking for a picture of him to show her this amazing man in the picture above it funny how a person can come into your like at the perfect time well that what my uncle ken and aunt Betty did for me I had just lost my mother and was a very scared little girl kenny took my mind off of all that he made a big impact on my life and a wonderful memory was replaced in a time I couldn’t have needed it more if you have any info or story’s about him I would be very greatful and if he or Betty is still alive if you could just let them know I’m looking for them I’d be forever greatful your web sight is wonderful, and it’s nice to be able to show my little girl a picture of my uncle Kenny
My husband and his brother worked as roustabouts for the Gatti Circus in the late 70s and knew Ken and Betty Willer quite well. We exchange Christmas cards each year. In the last exchange, Ken said after several falls, he has retired. They live in Rosemead California.
I am Ken Willer’s second cousin…my mother is Lillian (Smith) Martin, and was the daughter of Ed and Esther Smith. I assisted Ken and Betty for some of their events, and we kept a close relationship over the years. Ken is doing pretty well and Betty is presently in a convalescent hospital. Kenny is still living in the same house in Rosemead. Patrick Martin
Sadly, Betty passed away a few years ago and I was told that Ken has passed, too.
I read Betty’s obituary but did not find one on Ken. A friend of ours though, saw this photo and said this photo was not at the Kay Circus, but the Gatti Circus. Those are their banners. Ken worked many years for Joe Gatti – that’s how my husband met him and we had been friends many years. Patricia Gatti took over for her father and remembers when it was a very windy day and Ken still did his act, just like this photo. She also had those same riders in her show.
It is with great sadness to let the community here know – Mr. Ken Willer passed away on July 5, 2019. May he rest in peace. God speed Ken.
Hey Patrick I don’t know if you will see this but if you do find me on Facebook under my name Richele czupor it’s a rare name probably the only one on there Kenny was my uncle his was my dads brother nick czupor my grandma was Nora his mom I know they have both passed on ken and Betty my father too I don’t know a lot about my family I just found my aunt that I did not know about Diana she was Kenny sister she would be your second cousin too I really love to hear from you .my email is cheleczupor28@gmail.com I’m also on Facebook hope to hear back
Patrick I don’t know if you will see this if you do please contact me
At cheleczupor28@gmail.com or on Facebook under my name Richele czupor I’m the only one with that name so it easy to find I just did a dna with ancestry and found my aunt Diana she is Kenny sister she would be your second cousin too I heard about ken and Betty from her I would love to hear from you as well I hope you see this ..