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?
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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
4 Responses to “Ken Willer”
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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