Bill Robinson
Bill Robinson, 70, the namesake of Robinson Preserve, died Jan. 2 in Houston.
His son, state Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, announced his father’s death on social media: “Dad passed away peacefully this morning. As many of you know, dad courageously battled acute myeloid leukemia for over 508 days. We are very sad with his passing but thankful for his life and all the joy he brought to us and to all of his friends and family.”
State Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, issued a statement Jan. 2 via Twitter: “Very sorry to hear about the passing of Bill Robinson, a lifelong family friend and mentor. Bradenton has certainly lost a pillar of our community. Our prayers are with Bill’s wife, Peggy, @will-robinsonjr and the entire family during this most difficult time.”
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, also issued a statement via Twitter, which read, in part, “Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Bill Robinson, an extraordinary individual whose legacy will not be forgotten.”
Bill Robinson’s father, H.L. Robinson, founded Robby’s Sporting Goods in Bradenton in the 1960s. The family business grew and had expanded to 49 stores by 1988, when it was sold.
Bill Robinson ran the business as Champs Sports for several years.
Upon exiting that venture, he launched a tree farm, built a commercial real estate career and then, in 2006, with his son Parks, started Fit2Run, a “runner’s superstore.”
He also was involved with Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates, serving on the board of the organization that manages the Nathan Benderson Park in east Manatee County.
In west Manatee County, Bill Robinson played a critical role in the establishment in 2008 of Robinson Preserve. Hundreds of acres of farmland once owned by the Robinsons was “rehabilitated” into a nature preserve, creating native habitat for wildlife and sea life and a recreational destination for people.
The preserve is bordered by Tampa Bay, the Manatee River and Perico Bayou, but for years the property had been used as farmland, with nature’s flow of water blocked by dikes to protect crops.
Plans to develop the land for housing and a golf course were presented to Manatee County government in 1999 but, through negotiations involving the county and the Robinson family, 487 acres were reserved for a preserve.
The county purchased the land for a discounted $10 million, with $6.4 million of the expense paid with Florida Communities Trust money and the remaining cost covered by county taxpayer funds dedicated to preservation.
At a ceremony opening the preserve in July 2008, Bill Robinson called the land “perfect,” according to Islander archives.
“I am so proud. …It’s really a perfect piece of property,” he said.
Jane von Hahmann of Cortez, then the chair of the Manatee County Board of Commissioners, said at the grand opening, “I am so grateful to the Robinsons.”
Will Robinson, writing on Facebook Jan. 2, said his dad gave him one final fatherly lesson.
He continued, “Treat every day as a gift and live that day the very best you can.”
Mr. Robinson is survived by his wife, Peggy; three sons, Will, Parks and wife Kate, and Wesley; two grandchildren, Parker and Genevieve; and brother John.
Arrangements at Islander press time had not been finalized but a Mass will be celebrated at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 3100 26th St. W., Bradenton.