William "Bill" Barto

William "Bill" Barto
December 14, 1954 – October 30, 2025
William D. "Bill" Barto, 70, of Tavares, Florida, passed away peacefully after a suffering a brain aneurysm on October 30, 2025. Born on December 14, 1954, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Bill was the beloved son of Basil and Mary Barto, who preceded him in death.
Bill graduated from Delcastle Vo-Tech High School in Wilmington, Delaware. After high school, Bill joined Winward Racing as a crew member of their alcohol-fueled dragster team. He moved to Florida in the 1980s, where he built a life rooted in service, passion, and love.
In 2001 Bill was requested by the Lake County School Board to design and open East Ridge High School's Auto Collision Repair and Paint program. Students were captively drawn to him, not only for his innovative teaching style, but also for his compassion and desire to help others. Bill was well-loved and every year there were male and female students requesting to be a part of his world which was a dynamic, one-of-a-kind program.
As often as the case, Bill was regularly sought out by members of the school and community for his expert work. Through his reputation in the field, he was asked to paint and wrap the Earnhardt family's NASCAR M&M car among many other prestigious requests. Bill dedicated his career to teaching and sharing his deep knowledge and enthusiasm for all things automotive.
Sadly, due to health reasons, Bill retired in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of mentorship and inspiration. To this day his students remember him not only for his expertise but for his unwavering belief in "life, love, and legacy."
On June 27, 1999, Bill met the love of his life, Karen. Their bond grew stronger over the years, culminating in their marriage, ten years to the day later, on June 27, 2009, at the Garden Gate Café in Mount Dora, Florida. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with joy, family, and community service. Bill was a natural volunteer and a man of many passions, especially when it came to cars! He will forever be known for his kindness, wisdom, and simple yet profound advice he often shared such as, "Be sure to keep those headlights clear, think about becoming an organ donor, and always look for ways to be of service."
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Karen; his beloved son, William "Allen"; grandchildren, Teagan and Gabby; sisters Laura (Mike Woodward) and Elizabeth "Betsy" Warner; niece Casey (Jose) Vazquez and their daughter Zoe; nephew David Warner; sister-in-law, Christine Stafford (Karen's sister) and nephew Derek Stafford; along with many beloved cousins. Bill also leaves behind his "children of the heart": Ryan (Ashley) and their children Malakai and Devlynn; Johanna (CJ) and their children Jason and Connor; Tommy; Erin and her children Aidan and Adilyn; Scott (Brittany) and their children Cooper and Jack; Letson (Laura); and his constant companion of 13+ years, Zhazi. He was also preceded in death by his cherished pets Cookie, Bandit, Nelson, and Booger.
Bill's funeral will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Orange Avenue Church of Christ in Eustis, Florida. His visitation and viewing will begin at 12:30 PM, followed by the service at 1:30 PM. For those who would like to join, there will be a processional to Lakeside Memory Gardens, followed by a fellowship meal to which everyone is invited back to the church where we will celebrate knowing that Bill is in the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Kind words, flowers, and/or donations to The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation (TAAF), a vascular brain research organization, will be lovingly accepted. Donations can be made on their website at https://taafonline.org.