Remembering Bill Dixon - Arts Painter

William P. (Bill) Dixon was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, near The Ohio State University, to Paul and Virginia Fogle Dixon. Early Life and Talent
Bill displayed a remarkable talent for art from an early age. At just 8 years old, he received his first commission from the proprietor of Gordon’s Candy, a well-known shop near OSU. He painted the shop’s name and hours on its entrance door. This experience set the stage for his future career in art and beyond.
As a middle school student, a research team from OSU tested the entire student body.

“The smartest kid in the whole school is sitting in this room,”

his home room teacher announced one day. Bill was both surprised and intrigued by the statement. He remembered looking around, wondering who could possibly be that smart. His teacher pointed at him and said, “The smartest kid in this school is Dixon.”
After high school, Bill faced the reality of college. His parents told him he had to work to support himself, as they wouldn’t be able to pay for it. His art teacher, Miss Abernathy, helped secure a full scholarship to the Columbus College of Art and Design. However, Bill decided not to pursue a career in art and instead graduated from North High School in 1962.
A part-time job at an eclectic used bookstore near campus was Bill’s first experience with the world of business.

He worked alongside 2 professors and a retired engineer who had worked on the Manhattan Project.
Bill was allowed to borrow any book in the shop as long as he discussed what he read with the 3 owners.
This experience honed his critical thinking skills and ability to make and defend his assessments.

After completing his education, Bill worked a series of part-time jobs, including bartender, bouncer, cook, artist, and folksinger.

He taught school for two years as he completed his Master’s Degree.
After college, Bill went into banking, where he became the CEO of a financial institution without ever having taken a single business class.
In his spare time, he published magazine articles about home energy efficiency, humor, and finance.

In 2003, Bill published his first book, Guitar Collecting, which sold through three printings. He then began writing a popular column, “From the Edge,” for Ragazine, an online magazine. In 2009, Bill published his last book, Disorderly Conduct: Tales of the 1960’s. He also enjoyed oil painting and was a member of the Boothbay Region Art Foundation.
Bill was an avid musician and guitarist. He collected and played guitars, wrote his own music, and sang well. His love of music was a lifelong passion. He would often play and sing folk songs with friends until the wee hours of the morning.
As an outdoorsman, Bill loved hiking, bird watching, and survivalism. He found and turned sturdy branches into handsome walking sticks. He also had a masterful ability to identify many bird species and their songs. Bill passed on his love of nature to his family, including his son Ian and his grandsons. Bill was a skilled chef and loved entertaining. He was a fearless and creative chef, and his meals were both a feast for the eyes and delicious. He passed on this trait to his son Ian, who is an excellent chef.
Throughout his life, Bill was a man of many talents and passions. He was a member of MENSA and an avid chess player as a young man. He taught his son Ian the joy of the game, and Ian passed it down to his sons.
Bill was also a lover of Maine and the outdoors. He bought a “fixer-upper” on Mill Cove in Boothbay Harbor, which became a beloved seasonal residence. He enjoyed the beauty of the area, developed lifetime friendships, and ate many lobsters.
For many years, Bill lived in various locations, including St. Pete Beach, Pinellas Park, and Clearwater. He enjoyed many friendships and avoided the cold weather he hated.
Bill lived life with gusto. He was a man who borrowed the title of one of his favorite Hemingway books, “A Moveable Feast,” to describe his philosophy. He was proud to be a “Main-ah” and loved the title plate “PICNIC” that he drove with.
Bill’s legacy continues to live on through his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by his partner, Susan Stewart; his son, Ian Dixon; and his grandsons, Evan and Griffin Dixon. Thank you to Cap City Hospice and their team of angels for exceptional care during his final days.
As we remember Bill Dixon, let us raise a glass in his memory on his birthday, April 5th. If desired, remembrance contributions may be made to the Brain Health Program c/o Boothbay Region Health Center.