Remembering Bill Healey: Viking Co-Founder & Industry Icon

Updated August 21, 2025

4 min read

Remembering Bill Healey: Viking Co-Founder & Industry Icon

Article Overview: This tribute honors William “Bill” J. Healey, co-founder of Viking Yachts, who passed away at the age of 97. From building Viking into a world leader in sportfishing and luxury yachts to his lasting impact as a mentor and innovator, we reflect on his remarkable legacy. Learn how his vision shaped the boating industry and continues to inspire Viking Yachts today.

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Remembering Bill Healey: A Legend in the World of Viking Yachts

The yachting community has lost a true pioneer. William “Bill” J. Healey, co-founder of Viking Yachts, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025, at the age of 97. Surrounded by family, Bill leaves behind a legacy that shaped the sportfishing and luxury yacht industry for more than six decades.

The Beginning of Viking Yachts

In 1964, Bill Healey and his late brother Robert T. Healey Sr. purchased a small struggling boatbuilder in New Jersey. What began as a modest operation quickly grew into Viking Yachts — now recognized as one of the world’s premier builders of luxury sportfishing and cruising yachts.

40 viking Bill was quick to see the future of yacht construction. In 1972, Viking launched the groundbreaking Viking 40 Convertible, marking the shift from wood to fiberglass. At the time, Viking was considered an underdog in an industry dominated by larger corporations. But Bill thrived on competition, determined to innovate and provide customers with unmatched value. His vision and relentless drive transformed Viking from a family-owned start-up into a respected name known for performance, quality, and innovation.

A Leader with Heart

old Viking yacht factory Bill Healey was more than a president and boatbuilder. He was a mentor, a motivator, and a friend to those who worked alongside him. Known for his fiery spirit, he also carried a generous heart. Each evening, he stood at the factory doors to personally thank his team — often knowing not just their names but the names of their family members as well.

He believed in caring for his Viking family. Under his leadership, the company established an on-site health department, providing free medical care for employees and their families — a rare benefit in the industry.

Overcoming Challenges

Viking’s journey was not without obstacles. In the early 1990s, the federal luxury tax on boats devastated the yacht industry and nearly shut Viking down. Bill refused to give up. When the tax was repealed in 1993, Viking came back stronger than ever, securing its place as a global leader in yacht manufacturing.

An Innovator and Industry Icon

Bill never settled for “good enough.” He pushed Viking to embrace new technologies and sustainable practices, from advanced CNC routers to solar energy systems and modern wastewater treatment. His forward-thinking mindset helped Viking remain at the cutting edge of marine innovation.

Under his leadership, Viking expanded into an 880,000-square-foot facility with multiple production lines capable of producing up to 100 yachts a year. Viking built nearly 90 percent of each yacht in-house, using a vertically integrated process that ensured strict quality control and exceptional customer satisfaction.

Today, in its 61st year, Viking operates facilities in New Gretna and Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, along with service and sales locations in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Honors and Recognition: Bill Healey

Bill’s contributions to the industry were widely recognized. In 1998, he received the Ernst & Young N.J. Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He was inducted into the National Marine Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame in 2003 and was honored with the Press of Atlantic City’s Bailey Award in 2004 for his community contributions. Most recently, in 2024, he was inducted into the Marine Trades Association of N.J. Hall of Fame.

A Lasting Legacy

Viking 74 Though he retired in 2013, Bill never truly stepped away. He remained a daily presence at the New Gretna facility, inspiring employees and greeting customers who visited the factory. His son, Patrick J. Healey, now leads Viking Yachts with the same passion and commitment to building “a better boat every day.”

Bill Healey will be remembered as a visionary leader, a devoted family man, and the heart behind Viking Yachts. His influence lives on in every yacht built and in the generations of craftsmen he inspired.
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