William P. Mixon, Jr. was born in Manatee, Florida, on May 26, 1928 to parents William P. and Rosa Mixon, both Florida natives. As an infant, Mr. Mixon was christened in the Manatee Methodist Church and educated in the Manatee County Schools. He graduated from Bradenton High School in 1946. Mr. Mixon attended Florida Southern Citrus School but received much of his education from others, especially his dad. The author has worked his entire lifetime developing and managing Mixon Fruit Farms along with other family members. He currently lives alone in the home that his wife, Mary, and he built for retirement on the edge of the grove they planted together after their honeymoon more than 61 years ago.
