Edward T. ‘Shuff’ Willman

   

Edward T. ‘Shuff’ Willman was first introduced to sailing at a very young age at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By the age of fourteen, Shuff earned the reputation of being one of the finest sailors on the Great Lakes.

Shuff began racing the Chicago-Mackinac at age 15 or 16, participating in over 40 races. He started out sailing in Milwaukee and later moved to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

During his racing career, Shuff was a member of the Chicago Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club, Great Britain’s  Royal Ocean Racing Club, Cruising Club of America and Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club.

For several years Shuff served as sailing master for Charlie Kotovic’s boats: 40 foot Peggy, 47 foot Cooperhead and the 54’ double-ender Gypsy. These boats, with Shuff aboard, took Chicago-Mackinac trophies year after year. His last Chicago-Mackinac was in 1988 on Manitou, a Nelson/Marek 41 co-owned with fellow racer Bill Schoendorf.

Shuff also was a regular in the Queens Cup Race and its feeder race from Sturgeon Bay to Milwaukee, as well as numerous races in the Menominee and Sturgeon Bay areas.

The Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club recognized him as Sailor of the Year in 1988. He and Bill Schoendorf raced Shuff’s last Mackinac race that year. That was the year before his passing in 1989, of cancer which he battled for 18 years, while still racing on the Great Lakes and internationally.

In 2025, Shuff received the Sturgeon Bay Maritime Museum's Mariner Award posthumously. The award honors those who have made significant, lasting contributions to Door County's maritime history, industry, or culture.

Shuff was an influential figure in international sailing, known for his leadership and strong sailing instincts. He served as Vice-President of Marketing and co-owner at Palmer Johnson Inc., alongside Mike Kelsey, Jr. and Bill Parson from 1961 until his death in 1989. Shuff's practical experience and approachable nature made him well-liked both professionally and personally.

With his extensive background in boating and racing, Shuff played a pivotal role in the design and construction of high-value racing sailboats and yachts produced at Palmer Johnson and sold internationally, putting the shipbuilding capability of Sturgeon Bay on the world stage. Numerous sailing vessels developed with Shuff’s expertise remain in service.

Shuff also gave back to the community as an active member of the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club, serving as board member and Vice-Commodore. Shuff was a master sailor, leader and great friend to everyone with whom he sailed and worked. He was a solid Sturgeon Bay resident and an ambassador for sailing and for ship building, especially racing sailboats built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Shuff was an inducted member of the Island Goats Sailing Society of Chicago. He was Vice Commodore from 1973-1974, then advanced to Commodore from 1975-1976.  In 1975 Shuff was recognized with the Island Goats’ Fresh Water Award for skippering the winning yacht Scaramouche in the Chicago Yacht Club 630 mile Centennial Race, held to honor the clubs’ 100 year anniversary and sailed from Sarnia, Ontario, Canada to Chicago, Illinois.

Interestingly, Shuff always sailed in a white shirt and tie after becoming an executive at Palmer Johnson. He was a classy person and master sailor.

Notably, Shuff’s son, William “Billy” Willman, followed in his father’s footsteps, sailing and racing from his youth until about 10 years before his death in 2026. He had become a licensed captain and made his living on the water.

 

Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation honorably inducts Edward T. ‘Shuff’ Willman into the Lake Michigan Sailing Hall of Fame.

 

August 3, 2026

Edward T. ‘Shuff’ Willman was nominated by the Board of Directors of Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club.