William "Bill" Wharton

1922 - 2017

Wharton, William Bill, 95, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, November 12, 2017 at his home in Longwood, Florida. Bill was born on September 11, 1922 on the family farm near South Bend, Indiana and was the oldest of six children born to Mildred Patterson and William R. Wharton, Sr. Bill and his wife, Lina moved to Florida in 1975. In 1984, he and his partner, George Smith, formed Wharton-Smith, Inc., which has since grown into one of Central Florida's largest and most successful general contractor and construction management firms. While officially retired in 1992, Bill remained a member of the Board of Directors until his death. Bill and his wife attended All Saints Episcopal Church in Winter Park, where Bill was active for many years on the Vestry. In addition, Bill volunteered his time on behalf of the Brede-Wilkins Scholarship Fund at Village on the Green in Longwood where he and Lina have lived for the past 15 years. Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lina, six children, 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. A memorial celebration of Bill's life will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. in the Longwood Room at the Village on the Green, 500 Village Place, Longwood, FL. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Bill's memory to the Brede-Wilkins Scholarship Fund. Donation to the fund should be sent to Brede-Wilkins, c/o Drinker Biddle and Reath, LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10036-2714.