Viking Yacht Co. co-founder and former company president William J. Healey of Cape May and Mays Landing, N.J., died Aug. 14 from long-term complications of a stroke. He was 97.
One of four brothers, he was born to Patrick J. Healey Sr. and Loretta M. Healey in Atlantic City, N.J. Healey attended Camden Catholic High School and entered the U.S. Marine Corps, serving during the final years of World War II. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Joseph’s College in Philadelphia.
Healey worked for his father at P.J. Healey Structural Steel in Atco, N.J., before turning his attention to the Jersey Shore. When local boatbuilder Peterson-Viking failed, it marked the beginning of Viking Yacht Co.
Viking grew to become a premier builder of sportfishing boats with an 880,000-square-foot facility and multiple production lines capable of producing 100 boats per year. The company has manufacturing locations in New Gretna and Egg Harbor City, N.J., and multiple service and sales facilities in Palm Beach County, Fla.
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