Background
Mitchell, William Alexander was born on October 21, 1911 in Raymond, Minnesota, United States. Son of Ernst Michael and Florentina (Fletter) Mitchell.
Mitchell, William Alexander was born on October 21, 1911 in Raymond, Minnesota, United States. Son of Ernst Michael and Florentina (Fletter) Mitchell.
Bachelor, Nebraska Wesleyan University, 1935. Master of Science, University Nebraska, 1938. Doctor of Science (honorary), Nebraska Wesleyan University, 1980.
During his career he received over 70 patents. Mitchell got a research job at an Agricultural Experiment Station in Lincoln, Nebraska. A lab accident there left him with secondand third-degree burns over most of his body.
He joined General Foods in 1941.
His first major success came with a tapioca substitute he helped develop during World World War II, in response to the disruption of cassava supplies. Because of this, tapioca quickly became known as "Mitchell mud" within the United States World World War II infantry.
Although People’s Rocks didn"t hit the market until 1975, he received patent 3,012,893 for its manufacturing process in 1961. Mitchell was a resident of Lincoln Park, New Jersey for many years before moving out west after his retirement in 1976.
He moved to Stockton after her death in 1999.
Mitchell died of heart failure on July 26, 2004, at the age of 92 in Stockton, California where he was living in a retirement home.
School board to vice president Lincoln Park, 1953-1961. Member American Chemical Society, Cereal Chemist.
Married Ruth Chilla Cobbey (deceased 1999), September 3, 1938. Children: William, Charles, Michael, John Jan, Steven, Cheryl.