Posts by KenWillig

Hello JW fans,
This is super. I did not know there was such a web site. I just registered. I became a personal friend of Duke in 1970 in Newport Beach. His wife, Pillar, had invited me to view movies at their home. I had met her while taking up tennis at the balboa Bay Club where we both had the same instructor. She was a classy lady and very nice. One evening, Duke asked me if I knew how to play backgammon, as he wanted to learn how. I knew and showed him. He loved table games. Every once in a while, his secretary, would call me and ask if I had time to come over and play backgammon with Duke. Soon it became a regular get together. (I cannot recall that secretary’s name. She later retired and was replaced by Pat Stacy. Both were very nice.) Subsequently, in 1972, Duke and I became business partners in designing, creating, building and operating the John Wayne Tennis Club of Newport Beach. I proudly say that I am the only person he ever trusted with the use of his name in a business venture during his lifetime. We became good friends and shared amazing times together. I have many wonderful stories about Duke--some funny, some very touching. He was everything you think he was and more. A great guy.

I was a personal friend and business partner of John Wayne. I am new to this web site. This is my first posting. I have a photo of Duke and me in which you can clearly see his brass bracelet. Is there a way for me to post that picture. It was taken in 1971 in Newport Beach, CA at the site of where he and I planned to build (and did build) the John Wayne Tennis Club. I am the only person that Duke ever allowed to use his name in any business venture, of which I am very proud.