Kansas City, Mo., — Wade Williams, a cinema archivist and film collector, has, according to several of our most reliable sources, died earlier this month. He was believed to be 80.

Williams apparently did not have any family or children, nor was he married at the time of his death, these rumors might be all we’ll get regarding an official notice of his passing. His remains have reportedly already been cremated.

Williams had the rights to a number of MST3K movies, including “The Crawling Eye”, “Lost Continent” and “Bride of the Monster.” He has never permitted the riffing of another film he owns the rights to, “Rocketship X-M.”

Thanks to Paul for the photo and for the heads up.