WILLARD, Kenneth Thomas

Kenneth Thomas Willard, 96, of Elora, Ontario, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026, in Hamilton, Ontario. Ken is survived by his children William (Beth), Rosemary (Jim), Bob (Mary-Anne), Dan (Barb), Joanne (JP), Pat (Nancy), and Estelle Marie (Mike); sisters Shirley Wilson and Olive Thomas; his grandchildren Jeremy (Joni), Christopher (Heather), Sabrina (Andrew), Richard, Eric, and Victoria; his great-grandchildren Tyler, Mason, Blake, Jasmine, Rebecca, Jacob, Emmy, and Milo; and his dear friend Doris Miller. He is preceded in death by his wife, Estelle; his son, Steven; daughter-in-law Clare; and his brothers and sisters Fred, Rita, Raymond, Clarence, Nora, Gordon, Arnold, and David. Ken was born in New Liskeard, Ontario, to Nora and William on June 9, 1930. At the age of 17, Ken moved south to the Elora area to find work. He met Estelle, and together they raised eight children on the family farm in Nichol Township. Everyone who came to the farm was welcomed with open arms and fed. Ken also worked for over 48 years at GSW in Fergus, Ontario, where he earned the friendship and respect of his peers. Dad was a loving, wise father and was respected and loved by all who knew him. He enjoyed fishing, dancing, and curling, and he had a head for euchre that mystified his opponents and delighted his partners. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 19, at the Jefferson Elora Community Centre, located at 29 David Street West in Elora, Ontario, from 1:30pm until 4:00pm. Coffee and desserts will be served. The burial of his ashes will take place on the same day at 10:30am at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Salem, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Aboyne Rural Hospice (aboyneruralhospice.org), currently being built adjacent to the hospital in Centre Wellington. The Mark Preece Family House (markpreecehouse.ca/donate), located at 191 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 2W7 | (905) 529-0770. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Cheryl Pridham and the staff of both Groves Memorial Hospital and Hamilton General Hospital. To view Kenneth’s memorial page and leave online condolences, please visit www.grahamgiddyfh.com.