Mackinac Island ferry operator Shepler’s Ferry has announced the name of its newest vessel, which will launch in spring of 2020. The latest fleet addition will be named the William Richard, in honor William (Bill) Richard Shepler, son of Shepler’s Ferry founder Captain William Henry Shepler.
Bill was with the company back in 1945, when Bill’s dad, Captain William H. Shepler, first began piloting visitors to Mackinac Island via unscheduled speed boat charters. He is still a part of the daily operation and can often be seen greeting guests or tagging vehicles and luggage at the Mackinaw City dock.
The William Richard is a $4 million, jet-powered motor vessel currently under construction at Moran Iron Works.
For more information, visit sheplersferry.com.
