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Accounting Firm Partner Dies In Car Wreck

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

PLANT CITY - William Andrew "Andy" Mueller, a partner in an accounting firm with a client list that includes the Florida Strawberry Festival and city government, died in a Nov. 9 car accident in Alabama.

Mueller, who was driving to go bow hunting, was 10 miles from his destination in Camden, Ala., when his vehicle left the road and crashed, law enforcement officials said.

Mueller, 61, a founder of Hillsboro State Bank in Plant City and a senior partner in the accounting firm Bella, Hermida, Gillman, Hancock & Mueller, is survived by his wife, Diane Herndon Mueller; sons Mark, William III and Brett; daughter Anne Mueller Taylor; stepdaughters Allison Adcock and Tracy Roberts; and five grandchildren.

Mueller's funeral service was held Thursday at the Hopewell Funeral Home Chapel. He was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery.

"Andy was a close and dear friend and an avid hunter," former Mayor Mike Sparkman said. "He has been my accountant ever since I went into business. His firm has been the accountants for the Florida Strawberry Festival for years. The firm is also the internal auditor for the city."

Gary Boothe, president and chief executive officer at Hillsboro Bank, said he has known Mueller for 20 or 30 years. Mueller, a certified public accountant, was the bank's auditing committee chairman for the past six years, Boothe said.
City Commissioner Dan Raulerson, a local CPA, worked with Mueller as a staff accountant in 1980.

"He was always approachable, helpful, good-natured and pleasant to be around. It makes me sad that he is gone. I will miss him," Raulerson said.

Sparkman, also a founder at Hillsboro Bank, said Mueller had strong ties in the community and was a member of the Plant City Elks Lodge 1727.

"He will be missed by many friends that he has made over the years," Sparkman said.

Officials say Mueller was killed in Wilcox County, Ala. The investigation into the accident is ongoing, officials said.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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