William F. Bechtel

William (Bill) Frank Bechtel was born on December 27, 1923, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Frank and Clarcy (Mick) Bechtel. A 1941 graduate of East High School, he claimed that he attended twelve schools in twelve years. Trained as a cook for the US Navy, he served from October 1942 to November 1945, primarily in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Later he served in the US Army from April 1950 to January 1951.

He loved being outdoors, and his career as a mail carrier kept him in good physical shape. In 1978 he retired from the US Post Office. His aptitude for cultivating flowers, beautiful lawns, and flavorful vegetables captured the delight of all who visited his East Side home on Morton Avenue where he lived for 66 years. He was quick to point out interesting and sometimes remarkable wonders of God’s natural creation. He had a particular interest in colorful birds, cloud formations, and weather systems.

Having been drawn to the Lord Jesus Christ as a young man, he fostered a hunger for Christian truth and a love for Christ’s church in his children. Bill was a longtime member of Grandview Park Baptist Church where he served faithfully as a trustee in the maintenance of buildings and grounds during his younger years. An avid fisherman, he enjoyed family vacations in Minnesota and attended weeks of family camp at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp on Clear Lake. In his latter years, he cared sacrificially for his dear wife, Maxine, following a debilitating stroke. In July 2016 he joined her at Sunnyview where they played hundreds of Scrabble games. He never stopped talking about his honored mother, his adventurous childhood, and his World War II service. Bragging about his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren became a constant theme of his storytelling.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings (Marjorie, Robert, Rose) and firstborn son, James William Bechtel. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Maxine Bechtel, and four children, Ron (Ruth) Bechtel of Gig Harbor, WA, John (Joann) Bechtel of Powers, OR, Sandra (James) Hawbaker of Crossville, TN, Phillip Bechtel of Ankeny, IA; 12 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Wycliffe Bible Translators, #248580, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862 or online at wycliffe.org (click on Give to the Ministry of my Wycliffe Missionary and type in 248580 in place of name). If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-5433.

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