About

Our History

LakeMaster started in 1980 as Portable Steel Piers. Bud and Carol Willitzer bought the Stationary Pier business from Indiana Galvanizing. This tried and true product was first made in Muncie, IN in 1939 and was also available through Sears & Roebuck catalogs.

In the late 80s early 90s came the introduction of Vinyl Seawalls and TimberTech Composite Decking.

In 1996 Bud and Carol, with thoughts of retirement, sold the business. Bud stayed on as a consultant and the business name changed to Portable Piers.

In 1999, Bud and Carol bought the business back starting the LakeMaster Inc. era.

Over the years Bud and Carol’s three children put their share of hours in which truly made it a “Family Owned and Operated business!” Sadly, Bud passed in August of 2008, and Carol passed in January 2025.

Kevin and Kathy look to continue the LakeMaster era well into the 2000s with the stable products you’ve come to depend on as well as pushing the envelope with new products like Hi-Tide Overhead Hoists. Whatever your need: dock, seawall, lifts, etc…..we welcome you to our family.

In Loving Memory of Carol Willitzer

November 2, 1935 to January 15, 2025

Kathy Grim

Vice President & Secretary

Kathy Grim, daughter of Bud and Carol Willitzer, first started working in the office at the age of 16 and learned bookkeeping the old fashioned method from Carol. Kathy also learned from Bud the manufacturing side of the business, and even went out on several jobs with her dad. She continued to work summers and part-time through the school year during high school and college. Kathy graduated from Ball State University in 1995 with a Bachelor degree in Accounting. After graduation she worked for Woodland Country Club in Carmel, IN as the Assistant Controller. She eventually moved back to Muncie and worked for Ball Memorial Hospital in the accounting department. After getting married to Kevin Grim in 1998, Bud and Carol Willitzer bought the business back and Kathy came back to help run the office operations in 1999. She now handles the day to day accounting for LakeMaster, as well as helping out with all aspects of the daily operations of the company. She is now Vice President/Secretary of LakeMaster, Inc.

Kevin Grim

President

Kevin Grim attended Vincennes University where he majored in Residential Construction. He came to work with Bud at Portable Steel Piers in 1993. He worked his way up through the years and stayed on with the new owners when Bud and Carol sold the company in 1996. He was one of only two employees left when Bud and Carol bought the company back in 1999. Kevin and Kathy (Willitzer) Grim married in 1998. He learned first hand from Bud through the years the manufacturing, sales, and installation side of the business. Since Bud’s passing, Kevin and Kathy now run the day to day operations of the company.

In Loving Memory of Wayne “Bud” Willitzer

April 2nd 1936 to August 4th 2008