2001 | William Farmer SR

Farmer designed and built some 150 race boats at his shop in Richmond, Va., from 1948 to1974. A great sportsman, both on and off the race course, Farmer's success has as much to do with his gentle and generous style as with the wonderfully fast boats he built.

In 1953, Will gave up racing for full-time boat building. The first Farmer Inboard hydroplane, built in 1954, was Frankie Farmer's 136 hydro. Some of his early successes were the record-setting 280 hydro Tomcat E-60 and Sidney Johnson's Beverly Anne. His son, Will, Jr. wrote, "I am very proud of my dad. He has always been a very honest person, a quiet man, who would always go out of his way to help people."

Farmer received many glowing fan letters. Those who had seen his hulls race had to have one; those who raced Farmer hulls wanted more. Many of his customers and associates became lifelong friends. Farmer's love and dedication to this sport brought many new people into our sport.