Following the recording of the Inspired Albertan piece featuring Ken Willis, the 85-year-old lost his half-century long battle to complications from diabetes. After discussion with Ken’s widow Joyce and members of the Kensington Lions Club, the decision was reached to air Willis’ story as a tribute piece.
Despite his age, octogenarian Ken Willis continued to help others until his final day. On the morning of March 25, 2014, at the age of 85, Ken visited offices and businesses to ensure the Lions Club Mints were well stocked and to collect the donated cash.
Ken had become a familiar face to office staff and employees throughout Calgary in the 22 years he held the volunteer position. Ken began his labour of love in 1992 after losing sight in one of his eyes due, in part, to complications from diabetes.
The familiar, little rolls of mints are sold to raise money for Lions Club projects and no one matched Ken's fund raising efforts in the last two decades.
“Since January of 1992, and up until right now, about $113,000,” said Ken. “A little over that I've turned in to the club for distribution.”
The amount of cash Ken collected for the Lions Club represents the sale of nearly 260,000 rolls of mints.
Ken was accompanied by his wife Joyce and Lions Club Member Richard Damgaard during the recording of the Inspired Albertan feature piece on Ken’s accomplishments.
The group started the day at the office of dentist Paul Chapman, a longtime friend of Ken, and the clinic would become the location of Ken's final cheque presentation to the Lions Club.
“The money has gone to many worthwhile projects Lions supports,” said Richard Damgaard of the Kensington Lions, during the cheque presentation ceremony. “One is diabetes research and also the CNIB.”
The funds collected assisted in the funding of Lions Village, a 90-suite affordable senior citizens apartment building in northwest Calgary, which was a source of pride for Ken.
The housing project, which was completed in 2012, was built to provide housing and social activities for seniors on fixed incomes.
Ken knew it was time to hand over the mint run to someone younger and he found a willing successor in Luella Lind.
Luella had high praise for the Willis family.
“He's a very wonderful person, both he and his wife” said Luella. “ Working with them and getting to know them really enhanced my life.”
Following the Inspired shoot, Richard Damgaard drove Ken and Joyce back to their home and the topic of conversation was the day's filming.
“They both said it was one of the happiest days he had in a very, very long time,” said Richard.
For his years of dedication to brightening the lives of others, we pay tribute to Ken Willis as our Inspired Albertan.
With files from CTV’s Darrel Janz
