Willard Balderson

Willard E. Balderson, co-founder of Balderson Inc., was known around the world in the construction equipment industry for his Balderson U-Blades, Balderson Couplers and other specialized equipment. He and his father, Neil, founded Balderson Inc. in 1930 at the beginning of the Great Depression, and it grew steadily through a 60 year period before being purchased by Caterpillar Inc. in 1990. Balderson was born May 23, 1910 and died January 5, 2002. Though he traveled to every continent except Antarctica during his 60 years in the construction equipment industry he always lived in Wamego, Kansas where he was born.

Balderson, Inc.

Willard and his father, Neil, founded Balderson Inc. in Wamego, Kansas in 1930 at the beginning of the Great Depression.

Photography

Willard was also known for his photography. A CoFFEE table book called Simple Times, was published by his children and his grandson, filmmaker Steve Balderson. Small Town/Simple Times: Willard Balderson's Wamego Images 1946-1966, was an exhibit of Willard's photos which was held in the Swogger Gallery at the Columbian Theater in July/August 2002.