Willard Harvey Shuler

Known by Willard to his mom and close family, but also Harvey, Harv, dad, papa or even WHS to others, he was born Sept. 26, 1945, in Hollywood, California, to Mary and Charles Shuler. 

He spent most of his youth growing up with his mom and brother Leon, along with his grandparents Anna and Anton Briski, Uncle Tony (Lucille) and other extended family in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, in the Hancock/Tri-Mountain area.

He was known for his generosity, sense of humor, ingenuity, and his ability for, as he would say, doing-it-yourself before it was cool.

Harvey graduated from Hancock High School in 1963. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy, asking his mom to sign for him to join since he was only 17. While serving in Vietnam, he was on the U.S.S. Lenawee and swift boats PFC 77 and 101. 

One to demonstrate, rather than tell, he was reflective of the service and sacrifices members of the military make. It is one he held dear to him as he lost two of his fellow servicemen, Harry Brock and Bruce Timmons, during a boat patrol. In 2021 he had the privilege of being a part of an Old Glory Honor Flight.

He later attended Suomi College and graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in vocational education. 

It was at Northern where he met his future wife, Sue. They married June 10, 1972, and made the Green Bay area home. 

While at Ashwaubenon High School, Harvey taught mostly automotive classes, for eight years. But he found his true calling in life, entrepreneurship, as he started his home building and remodeling business, W.H. Shuler Builder. 

He continued to grow his business to include Packerland Properties, which included storage, office, retail and apartments, and one of the top U-Haul rental sales sites in the U.S. and Canada, receiving many awards over the years. 

While he left education early in his career, Harvey was always passionate about teaching and guiding others in their own lives, including learning how to build/fix things and be a problem solver. He always believed in the best in people and giving everyone a chance.

Harvey was a man of many interests. He truly enjoyed the process of working on a project, from planning to putting it in action and making sure it was done right. 

Always one to have many big projects going on, over the years Harvey loved to be working in his shop on cars, wooden boats, woodworking, making updates to the home he built, and helping his daughters with their own projects. 

He enjoyed sharing life with his wife Sue and being a father, spending time with his girls and their families, along with boating, traveling within/out of the U.S., going to car shows, building/using radios, and watching the Packers.

Harvey is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Shuler. He is survived by his wife Susan; daughters, Leslie (Scott) Svacina, and Paula (Trevor Elg) Shuler; grandchildren, Cody and Cadence (Leslie) and Henrik (Paula); brother, Leon (Shelia) Shuler; as well as several brothers and sisters-in-law along with many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., in Green Bay on Saturday, March 1, from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m., with a private burial later this spring.

Online condolences can be shared at www.blaneyfuneralhome.com. It’s requested that any memorial donations be sent to the attention of American Legion Alfred Erickson Post 186, 1308 Quincy St., Hancock, Michigan, in memory of Willard Harvey Shuler.