Will Radcliff
Willard Lawson Radcliff | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Dayton, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | September 18, 2014 (aged 74) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, inventor |
| Known for | Inventing the Slush Puppie, founding Slush Puppie Corp. |
Willard Lawson Radcliff (December 20, 1939 – September 18, 2014) was an American entrepreneur known for inventing the Slush Puppie, a popular frozen slush beverage. He established Slush Puppie Corp. in 1970, which by 1999 achieved annual worldwide sales of $25 million. In the year 2000, Radcliff sold the company to Cadbury Schweppes for $16.6 million. Subsequently, the brand was purchased by J & J Snack Foods in 2006.
Life and career
Born in Dayton, Kentucky and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Radcliff completed his education at Western Hills High School in 1958. Prior to launching Slush Puppie, he held several jobs including shoe shining, vacuum cleaner sales, and selling peanuts.
As his company grew, Radcliff expanded the product lineup to include offerings like Thelma's frozen lemonade, Pacific Bay Smooth-E, and Lanikai Frozen Cocktail.
During the 1980s, Radcliff acquired nearly 3,594 acres near Umatilla, Florida, where he developed Radcliff's Fly'n R Ranch spanning Lake and Marion counties. To support ranch activities, he built a barn close to 20,000 square feet in size along with an on-site lumber mill.
After selling Slush Puppie for $16.6 million in 2000, Radcliff dedicated himself to environmental conservation efforts. He transformed much of his Florida land from cattle grazing areas back into native ecosystems by dredging marshlands to foster habitats for wildlife such as ospreys and waterfowl.
Upon his passing in 2014, a total of 3,106 acres from his ranch were conveyed to the state-run St. Johns River Water Management District through a $5.2 million arrangement that permitted him lifetime residency on the property. This tract is set aside for development as a water and wildlife preserve, creating an important ecological connection between the Ocala National Forest, Lake Griffin State Park, and the Ocklawaha River. The remaining 500 acres—including his home—remain under his estate with restrictions on development.
Radcliff died at age 74 in Cincinnati due to complications resulting from a fall. He is survived by two children, one brother, and four grandchildren.