William Anderson Dixson

William Anderson Dixson, (QMC) USN Retired, also known as “Wild Bill” and “Captain Bill” finished his race and entered into Eternal Rest on Monday, December 17, 2018. Bill was born to Gordon Eugene Dixson and Hester Berniece (nee Wilkins) on September 10, 1942 in Paris, TX. He grew up in Fort Worth, TX and attended Carter-Riverside School. In 1959, he began a 24 year career in the US Navy, first serving aboard the USS Currituck AV-7, stationed in San Diego, CA. In January 1960, he married Lana Rae Henry, the love of his life. Bill was later stationed in Charleston, SC and served aboard fast attack submarine, the USS Ray, and at the end of his naval career, he took a new role as “skipper” of the Donald P. Hall, a training vessel operating in the Charleston Harbor. He retired honorably from the Navy in 1988 and embarked on a second career as a tour boat captain with Spiritline Cruises. He was never happier in any job than when he was behind the helm of The Spirit of Charleston. Bill is survived by his wife, Lana, of nearly 59 years, his five children and their spouses, Jay (Lynn), Jeff (Heather), Joy Mahaffey (Donald), Jessica Cooper (Craig), and Joelle Ferguson (Hardy), his mother-in-law, Ouida Henry, two sisters, Sandra Hanna (Gary) and Kimberly Brawley (Richard), his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jimmy & Janice Henry, and seven grandchildren, Nicole Dixson, Stephanie Wright (Scott), Shannon Atwell (Aaron), Megan Mahaffey, Kayla Ryan (Brad), Blake Ferguson (Renee), and Eli Cooper, seven great-grandchildren, and many extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Pat Burdett, and his father-in-law, JC Henry. Bill and Lana traveled extensively and loved playing games, especially with their children and grandchildren. Bill also enjoyed fishing, working with wood, and watching the Atlanta Braves. If you knew Capt. Bill, you knew there was nothing he wouldn’t do and nothing he wouldn’t give to someone in need. He passed on to his children a love of the ocean, travel, and a devotion to family A celebration of his life and naval service will be held on Friday January 4, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218. Arrangements are being handled by Cedar Bay Funeral Home, 405 New Berlin Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218 In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Captain Bill’s name to America’s VetDogs (www.vetdogs.org) or Soldiers’ Angels (www.soldiersangels.org). Fair Winds and Following Seas. 

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