LOCAL

Panama City Beach renames portion of road in honor of late Pineapple Willy's founder

Nathan Cobb
The News Herald
A portion of South Thomas Drive in Panama City Beach will be renamed Bill Buskell Memorial Drive in honor of William "Bill" Buskell, the creator of Pineapple Willy's Restaurant who died Nov. 8, 2021.

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Part of a Panama City Beach road will now be named after a longtime local who helped the city make a name for itself.

In honor of William "Bill" Buskell, the creator of Pineapple Willy's Restaurant who died Nov. 8, 2021, City Council members last week voted to rename a portion of South Thomas Drive in Panama City Beach "Bill Buskell Memorial Drive."

"Bill was a personal friend of mine for over 30 years, and he was just a great individual," Councilman Paul Casto said. "He gave back to the community like nobody else I know, and I think it is really good we're able to do this to honor him."

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According to Pineapple Willy's website, the popular restaurant at 9875 South Thomas Drive used to be known as the Pier 99 Lounge, an extension of the Pier 99 Hotel, of which Buskell was a managing partner. 

He later bought the lounge, rebranded it and expanded the business' footprint. 

The meeting's agenda noted Buskell developed Pineapple Willy's in 1984. It became not only a landmark in Panama City Beach, but also a signature stop for thousands of tourists. 

"The success of Pineapple Willy’s led its visitors to bring home souvenir t-shirts, which became walking advertisements for the city and its beautiful beaches," the agenda reads.

It also states Buskell was "instrumental" in founding Beach Care Services, a nonprofit organization that helps less fortunate people who live and work in Panama City Beach. 

"He was a pillar of this city," Councilman Michael Jarman said. "I never knew him to not want to do something positive for this city."

"We're thankful for everything (he) did," Mayor Mark Sheldon said. "Nobody gave back to this community more than (he) ever did. ... You could fill his restaurant up, and all those people together wouldn't do as much as Bill did for the community."