William J. Healey, a.k.a. Bill Healey, who established the sportfishing powerhouse Viking Yachts with his brother, died on August 14. He was 97.
The son of a steel-company owner, Healey was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on November 6, 1927. A lifelong resident of the state, he entered the Marines after high school, towards the end of World War II. He went on to earn a political-science degree from St. Joseph’s College in Philadelphia after receiving an honorable discharge from the service.
Through his 20s and into his 30s, Healey worked for his father, who owned P.J. Healey Structural Steel in Atco. His brother Bob convinced him to join his real-estate development business in the 1950s. In 1964, Peterson-Viking, a small wooden boatbuilder in New Gretna, fell on hard times. The Healey brothers had already acquired Bass River Marina, an adjacent property, and therefore bought the boat shop. They called their new business Viking Yachts, officially establishing it on April 1,1964. Bob Healey (who died in 2021 at age 92) was chief executive, the corporate lawyer, and the financial chief. Bill Healey, meanwhile, was president and in charge of production.
Under them, Viking Yachts delivered more than 5,000 boats and yachts, pushing up into megayacht territory. What started as a small boatyard grew into an 880,000-square-foot (81,755-square-meter) facility along the Bass River in southern New Jersey. The boatyard can manufacture 100 projects annually, any number of which are visible to passengers in cars traveling along New Jersey’s Garden State Parkway, since the factory is close by.
Bill Healey recognized that fiberglass was the future, too, a few years into building boats. The first project to switch from wood to the new material was the Viking 40 Convertible, from 1972. Additionally, he identified ways to improve not just boatbuilding, but also the facilities. For instance, he designed a power system for the shipyard to supply electricity, air conditioning, and heating. He also constructed and installed a wastewater treatment plant and added solar panels on buildings. On the boatbuilding side, Healey acquired a five-axis CNC machine (computer numerical control), for precision designing and cutting of parts and components.
Despite retiring 13 years ago, Healey remained a constant presence at Viking Yachts. In fact, craftspeople and customers saw him daily at the New Gretna yard. Many of the same craftspeople and other visitors further recall him as a strong-willed and scrappy person. Yet, that same intensity benefitted employees. In fact, at the end of each day, Healey stood at the door, thanking and wishing each one of them a good night as they departed. Furthermore, he knew hundreds of the metalworkers, electricians, and other craftspeople by name, along with many of their family members’ names. Finally, 38 years ago, Viking Yachts established a free on-site health clinic for the employees and their families. Created in addition to typical healthcare benefits, it remains operational to this day. Altogether, these speak to something Healey often mentioned: that everyone at Viking Yachts worked with, not for, him.
Multiple business organizations honored Healey during his career. Among them, the National Marine Manufacturers Association inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2003. Just last year, the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey did the same. He also received the Ernst & Young N.J. Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1998. Healey’s commitment to the community, meanwhile, earned him the Press of Atlantic City’s Bailey Award in 2004.
Healey, who died following complications from a stroke, was married for 62 years to Mary “Sissy” Frances Healey, who preceded him in death. All three of his brothers did as well, along with one of his children, Mary “Missy” Frances Hartdorn. He leaves behind a son and a daughter, Patrick J. Healey and Kathy Healey, plus six grandchildren. Patrick Healey took over Viking Yachts upon his father’s retirement and continues to run the company today.
Visitations are set for August 26 and 27 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Cape May, New Jersey. A funeral mass is also being held August 27 at the church, immediately following visitation.
John
Seems like a great guy. Every company should prioritize their employees. The world would be a better place. Im sure he will be missed.
Michael Verdon
What a nice tribute, Diane, to an exceptional leader and family. I remember visiting the plant in 1990 and he broke up our meeting early to get out to shake hands with the workers. I loved that. He and his brother also took a huge role in the repeal of the luxury tax. RIP Mr. Healey. Fair winds and good fishing.