William Bechhold

Bill was the beloved husband of Barbara, loving father of three daughters, cherished grandfather of three and the proud father of Enzo.  He is also survived by his brother. Bill passed away unexpectedly on March 6, 2020.

Born William D. Bechhold in Cleveland, Ohio on May 5, 1949 to Gladys and Lewis Bechhold.  He attended St. Ann Elementary School, Gilmour Academy and Pinecrest (Ft. Lauderdale, FL).  He graduated from Ohio University and received his Master’s Degree from Case Western Reserve University.  Bill spent his career as a day trader and property manager.

Bill and Barb married in Key West, FL.  They maintained a weekend home on Cudjoe Key where they fulfilled their love of boating, fishing and rum!  During the week, Bill spent his time in Ft. Lauderdale and was an active member of the Poinsettia Heights Civic Association.

Upon becoming a summer resident of Harbor Springs over ten years ago, Bill joined the Northern Michigan Astronomy Club, he volunteered delivering food to the Harbor Springs Food Pantry, and found his passion for the process of digital photography development. 

To the surprise of everyone, Bill became an avid gardener of vegetables and flowers.  He loved learning about various soils and crop rotation so that he could expand his vegetable plantings.  Year after year, he would harvest the seeds from his sunflowers and zinnias to plant.  And, he was learning how to get Morning Glories to climb up the fence. His harvests were bountiful and shared with his neighbors and community. 

Bill was an easy guy to befriend as he had a kind and compassionate soul. He earned the trust of his neighbors and others through his helpful and thoughtful ways.  His friends, neighbors and Barbara’s golfing ladies were always available for his homemade guacamole or to taste test a new cocktail concoction, with the favorite being a “Cosmonaut”.

Bill could be found almost any summer day picking up sticks, feeding the wild creatures on his domain and entertaining his grandchildren on their visits.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer with the date and location to be announced.     

Arrangements are in the care of the Stone Funeral Home of Petoskey.

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