Bill Adsett, founder of Wellington Advertiser, dies at 86

William Hugh Adsett, known to most simply as Bill, died on Oct. 5 after a brief illness and following a battle with dementia. He was 86 years old.

One of the great accomplishments of Adsett’s life was being the founder of the Wellington Advertiser. In a 2018 interview to commemorate the Advertiser’s 50th anniversary, he said the decision to start the newspaper was rooted in a “sense of community responsibility” and a desire to educate people about municipal politics and processes.

The first eight-page issue of the Fergus and Area Shoppers News was published on March 12, 1968. The name was soon changed to The Wellington Advertiser and circulation was expanded to include the entire county.

The paper now serves all of northern Wellington County, including Minto, Mapleton and Wellington North, Ontario.

Despite many changes and challenges over the years, including various moves and technological advances, Bill’s vision for a free newspaper for everyone in Wellington County, as well as a separate publication  dedicated to the northern portion of the county, continues to this day.

The Advertiser now reaches over 40,000 homes and businesses each week.

A celebration of life will be held next spring at the family farm.