William H. Nixon died at the home of his son and daughter in law Sunday in Port Orange with family at his side. He was 85. Mr. Nixon a leading area educator helped to shape the business program at newly formed Daytona Beach Community College beginning as a professor in 1964 serving also as department chair and becoming division director before retiring in 1977.
Born on the family farm near Sandyville Ohio Bill grew to love athletics playing basketball at Canton McKinley High School and later Muskingum College. He received a Bachelors of Science and Physical Education from Ohio State University. Later Major Nixon would organize the army?s first semi-professional baseball team while heading troop special services for the European theatre during the last years of World War II. He served in that capacity on General Eisenhower?s personal staff. Bill met his next love Drusilla at a USO dance in Baton Rouge and Married her before shipping off as a then newly enlisted private. Rising quickly through the ranks and contributing freely of his talents as both a family man and community leader were hall marks of Bill?s full life. Returning from service in the army Bill began his family in Jackson Tennessee where he and Dru raised three boys Terry David and Lewis. He found time for trips to the Tennessee River throwing the football in the front yard and playing with the CB radio while rising from floor clerk to vice president of the local hardware store and taking on various demanding civic roles. President of the Jaycees vice president of both the YMCA and Chamber of Commerce and president of the Jackson Rotary Club in 1957 Bill took even more pride in taking a young son to a meeting of the Indian Guides. That was Bill?s way. He gave of himself and found time for everyone. When he came to Florida in 1964 Bill not only worked diligently carrying out his regular duties as a teacher department chair and division director for Daytona Beach Community College but he also served twice as chair of the Community College Business Instructors of Florida and for six years on Southern Association of Colleges accreditation teams. Bill contributed five years to the board of the Community United Methodist Church Where his presence will be missed and he continued his active role in the Daytona Beach Rotary Club which this year made him a lifetime honorary member. To many Bill seemed happiest when he could be around the water especially with his family. Bayshore residents will remember his laps in their Olympic sized pool and the stories of his many cruises with Dru during their very active retirement. And always he was keen to report on the latest accomplishment of a son Lewis the cruise ship entertainer David the English Professor Terry the teacher and hurricane consultant. After Dru?s passing in the fall of 2000 Bill continued to enjoy the outdoors going to Summer Trees to live with his devoted son and daughter in law Terry and Kelly. Family visited frequently where far-ranging talks often move to the tree shaded screen porch. To the end Bill shared his rich life.
Oldest son Terry and his wife Kelly; middle son David and his wife Mary Ann and their sons the grandchildren Sean and Colin; and youngest son Lewis will remember Bill and Dru always with love.
A memorial service will be held at community United Methodist Church 616 Harvey Ave. Daytona Beach on Friday Aug. 5 at 2PM.