St Helens-born Gwilliam joined his home town team from Salford in 1974, with whom he had played full back at Wembley in 1970.
He went on to play 151 times in the red vee, scoring 25 tries.
Although he was a regular in the team after joining, he made the position his own from 1976 following the retirement of Jeff Heaton.
He was a tough but skilful competitor in an era when the battle for the ball at the contested scrums often began with the guile of the feed and the toughness to pick up the quick heel.
Ken played scrum half in Saints World Club Challenge showdown in Australia against Eastern Suburbs at the Sydney Cricket Ground which took place in the summer of 1976.
In the 1977/78 campaign he formed a fine half back partnership with Bill Francis and the pair’s scheming helped Saints to the Challenge Cup Final.
Ken played at Wembley against Leeds, and his pass from the scrum sent Francis in for Saints’ second try.
But alas it was a loser’s medal he returned with – Saints losing a titanic tussle 14-12 following a late surge by the Loiners.
Following that season Ken found his position challenged by the emerging talent of future international Neil Holding.
His experience was a valuable asset in helping the teenager’s development.
Ken’s last game for Saints came in November 1979, leaving for Oldham.
After there Ken joined fellow ex-Saints George Nicholls and Tony Karalius at the Cardiff Blue Dragons, where he brought curtain down on his playing career with three seasons.
After hanging up his playing boots, Ken coached at amateur club Blackbrook.
He is pre-deceased by his brother Alan, who also played for Saints.
We send our condolences to Ken’s family at this time.
