Florida citrus pioneer dies

A huge figure in the Florida citrus industry, Manatee County resident Bill Mixon, died at Manatee Memorial Hospital on Friday, Feb. 5 at 87.

Mixon was the former director and past president of the Manatee County Farm Bureau, a board member of the Florida Citrus Mutual and a founding member of the Florida Gift Fruit Shippers Association.

He was 11 when his parents, Willie and Rosa Mixon, started Mixon Fruit Farms in 1939. He was 16 when he bought his first grove.

Mixon, who was born May 26, 1928, was a lifetime member of the Manatee United Methodist Church. His wife, Mary, died in 2009. They had been married since 1949.

He retired from Mixon Fruit Farms in 2006 but continued to work on the farm and had planted trees on Feb. 3, only two days before his death.

Mixon is survived by his sons, Don (Kathy) Mixon of Saluda, N.C.; Dean (Janet) Mixon of Anna Maria; grandchildren Stephen (Rachael) Mixon; Lori (Josh) Mixon Swindle; Rick Permuy, Julie (Heath) Busa, Kaycee Huber; and great grandchildren Aubrey Mixon, Brinkley Busa, Bryce Busa and Sullivan Huber.

A celebration of life will be held at Manatee United Methodist Church, 315 15th St. E., Bradenton at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12. Donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association in lieu of flowers.