The community of South Bruce Peninsula is in mourning following the passing of Wiarton Wilie.
The town in statement says Willie passed in his sleep, being among a handful of groundhog predictors who carried on the tradition of predicating an early spring or longer winter.
Mayor Jay Kirkland says Willie brought people together in the heart of winter to celebrate a tradition that put Wiarton on the map.
The Town will begin the search for a new groundhog in the coming days to help carry the legacy Willie helped build.
