William John Bechthold (1921 - 2009)
William John Bechthold, 88, of Lodi passed away Tuesday, December 15th, 2009. He was a Lodi native and was born January 8th, 1921.
Mr. Bechthold attended Victor Elementary and graduated from Lodi Union High School in 1939. He graduated from National Technical School in Los Angeles in 1941.
He was the founder and owner of Bechthold Tractor Service, Inc. and designer and manufacturer of Trim N Prun vine trimmer as well as a wine grape grower.
He was married to Norma Jean Bechthold for 60 years before she died August 11th, 2004.
He has been a long-time member of Ebenezer Congregational Church (his family were founding members).
He was a member of the Model 'A' Ford Club of America and a founding member of Tokay A's Model 'A' Club.
Also a member of the Hart Parr Oliver Club of America and a founding member of California Oliver Cletrac Club.
He was a Lodi Grape Festival Board Director Emeritus and Past President. Also, San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum.
His hobbies included restoring Cletrac and Oliver Antique Tractors (and was known throughout the United States for his expertise in Cletrac and Oliver Tractors which have appeared in tractor magazines and calendars), restoring tractors for Micke Grove Museum, travel in the US and Europe and restoring Model A's.
Visitation will be Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Donahue Funeral Home.
Private graveside services will be held at the Lodi Memorial Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the San Joaquin County Historical Society & Museum "Tractor Collection," P.O. Box 30, Lodi, CA 95241-0030.
Published in LodiNews from December 17 to December 24, 2009
William John Bechthold (1921 - 2009)
William John Bechthold, 88, of Lodi passed away Tuesday, December 15th, 2009. He was a Lodi native and was born January 8th, 1921.
Mr. Bechthold attended Victor Elementary and graduated from Lodi Union High School in 1939. He graduated from National Technical School in Los Angeles in 1941.
He was the founder and owner of Bechthold Tractor Service, Inc. and designer and manufacturer of Trim N Prun vine trimmer as well as a wine grape grower.
He was married to Norma Jean Bechthold for 60 years before she died August 11th, 2004.
He has been a long-time member of Ebenezer Congregational Church (his family were founding members).
He was a member of the Model 'A' Ford Club of America and a founding member of Tokay A's Model 'A' Club.
Also a member of the Hart Parr Oliver Club of America and a founding member of California Oliver Cletrac Club.
He was a Lodi Grape Festival Board Director Emeritus and Past President. Also, San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum.
His hobbies included restoring Cletrac and Oliver Antique Tractors (and was known throughout the United States for his expertise in Cletrac and Oliver Tractors which have appeared in tractor magazines and calendars), restoring tractors for Micke Grove Museum, travel in the US and Europe and restoring Model A's.
Visitation will be Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Donahue Funeral Home.
Private graveside services will be held at the Lodi Memorial Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the San Joaquin County Historical Society & Museum "Tractor Collection," P.O. Box 30, Lodi, CA 95241-0030.
Published in LodiNews from December 17 to December 24, 2009
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