It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of
Bernie Timm, founder of Bernie’s House Painting, LLC, following his courageous battle with Stage 4 prostate cancer. Bernie passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
As we navigate this incredibly sad loss, we are reminded not only of the business Bernie built, but of the enormous heart, generosity and compassion he showed throughout his life.
Bernie cared deeply about his community. He believed in giving back and regularly supported first responders, veterans, teachers, local sports teams and children at Christmas. Helping others was simply part of who Bernie was. He led by example, and those fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him are better for having known him.
Bernie was also the pillar of strength within his family. His home, shared with his wife Sarah and their large family, was at the center of countless parties, holidays and family gatherings over the years. Those occasions created wonderful memories at the time; today, those memories have become priceless.
All of us at Bernie’s House Painting would like to sincerely thank our clients, builders, former employees, friends and members of the community who have reached out with messages of sympathy and support. The kindness shown to Bernie’s family and to everyone within the company has meant more than we can express.
The Legacy Bernie Built
Over the past 12 years, Bernie’s House Painting has grown from Bernie’s vision of providing top-quality painting combined with exceptional customer service.
Many will remember the early days of
“Let Us Paint Your Pad”, with the familiar lily pad and frog, which eventually evolved into
“Painting Sunshine” and the painter painting the sun.
Throughout those years, Bernie and his team made their mark across Highlands County and the surrounding communities, including DeSoto, Hardee, Hendry, Glades, Okeechobee and Polk counties.
But Bernie’s vision was always about more than painting houses and businesses. It was about building relationships, looking after customers, creating jobs and becoming part of the community he served.
Continuing Bernie’s Vision
As Bernie’s battle with cancer progressed, he and his wife Sarah made the difficult decision to begin looking for new owners for Bernie’s House Painting.
Their priority was not simply selling a business. They wanted to protect what Bernie had spent years building — to safeguard the jobs of his employees, continue looking after the loyal customers who had supported the company, and ensure that future customers could continue to rely on Bernie’s House Painting for many years to come.
Bernie and Sarah spent time speaking with prospective new owners and sharing the values, history and vision behind the company. They also shared Bernie’s hopes that one day the business could grow beyond Highlands County and bring the Bernie’s name and standard of service to new communities.
In mid-July, that next chapter began with new owners
Amy and Richard.
While there are exciting ideas for the future, Bernie’s passing reminds us that moving forward also means remembering where we came from.
Bernie’s name, values and vision will remain at the heart of Bernie’s House Painting.
The familiar faces our customers know remain part of the team. Will Salisbury continues to lead office and project operations, while Grady Lisk, who has been with Bernie’s since March 2018, continues estimating for our customers. Our painting teams — Jim, Edwin, JJ, Tristan, John, Chance and George, together with our newer team members Anthony, Danny, Colby and Yadiel — will continue delivering the quality and service Bernie expected.
In time, we will properly introduce Amy and Richard and share more about the future of the company. For now, our focus is on supporting Bernie’s family and our team, honoring his memory, and continuing the work he began.
Thank You, Bernie
Above all, everyone at Bernie’s House Painting would like to express our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to
Sarah, Bernie’s children, grandchildren and his entire family.
We are enormously grateful to them for allowing us to have been part of Bernie’s life — to work alongside him, learn from him, share his vision and stand beside him during his fight.
We especially recognize Sarah, Bernie’s wife, business partner and constant source of support throughout his illness. Her strength and dedication to Bernie, their family and the business have been extraordinary.
It has been an honor and a privilege to know Bernie.
His passing leaves an enormous space in the lives of his family, friends, employees and community, but the values he built this company upon will continue.
Quality. Reliability. Local pride. Giving back to the community. And, of course, Painting Sunshine.
Rest in peace, Bernie. Your legacy will live on.
