William Patrick "Bill" Mignon Sr.

William "Bill" Mignon
Bill Mignon passed away peacefully at Bailey Center for Caring on February 5th 2024 at the age of 86. Bill was born in Bronx, NY in 1937 to William A. Mignon and Florence Curley Mignon. His parents moved him and sister Carol from New York City after World War II and owned and operated tourist courts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Bill's family relocated to St. Augustine in 1952 and opened the Florence Motel, which was located on Moultrie Bluff. Bill graduated from Ketterlinus High School in 1955. He enrolled at the University of Florida, where he earned a B.S. in Education and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant through the university's Army ROTC program. After earning his aviator wings at Fort Rucker, Alabama, Bill was assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment based in Straubing, Germany. He flew O-1 "Bird Dog" observation airplanes on the German/Czechoslovakian border at the height of the Cold War. Bill completed his active duty obligation in 1964 and returned to St. Augustine. He began his career in education, teaching history at St. Augustine High School. He also joined the Florida Army National Guard where he would serve as an airplane and helicopter pilot for over 30 years. Bill returned to the University of Florida and earned a Master's Degree in Education which allowed him to pursue administrative positions with the St. Johns County School District. Bill served as Principal at St. Augustine Vocational and Technical Center, R.B. Hunt Elementary School, Allen Nease High School, and Pedro Menendez High School. After retirement, he served as a member of the St. Johns County School Board. Bill's service to the St. John's County School District spanned six decades. He is survived by his children Pat (Tami) Mignon, and Michele (Rick) Van, grandchildren Annie (Jordan) Cruze, Michael (Katie) Mignon, Courtney (Dustin) Whitney, and Jacob Mignon, great granddaughters Emelia, Elizabeth, and Delaney, sister Carol Mignon, cousin Peggy Fitts, many nieces and nephews and a great circle of friends. Services to honor Bill's life will be held on February 17th at 2:00PM at Craig Funeral Home, located at 1475 Old Dixie Hwy, St. Augustine, FL 32084. A celebration of life reception will follow the service at the St. Augustine Gun Club, 401 Gun Club Rd. St. Augustine, FL 32095. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Bill Mignon Military Scholarship Fund available to St. Johns County JROTC students. Checks should be made out to SA/KHS Alumni Association Inc. Memo Section of Checks – Scholarships. 17 Pacific Street, Suite A. St. Augustine, FL 32084