Stephen William Bechtold

Stephen William Bechtold, 84, of Joppa, passed on October 1, 2021. He was the son of Wilton E. and Gladys Cohee Bechtold. Born on August 29, 1937 and raised in Perryman, he spent his entire youth growing up on the Bush River, having cultivated a great love of the water, building a boat, fishing and crabbing. He held these dear for his entire life. His early years provided a bucolic childhood which developed into a love of nature and animals. He also enjoyed many years of scouting with neighborhood friends. In the later years, he enjoyed golfing with his wife and friends, relaxing and enjoying being home with his family.

His younger years included employment at several automotive dealers. At the age of 40, he decided to join his wife in the operation of their nursery, The Green Thumb, located at their home, ceasing operation in 2010. He loved building greenhouses and installing the irrigation for them from his farm pond. Always a perfectionist in everything he did, he insisted that everything be done the “right way” which was usually “his way.” He was a member of the Maryland Nurseryman's Association and enjoyed going on their field trips to other Maryland and neighboring state's nurseries.
His interests included landscaping and propagating and grafting new plant material. He beautifully maintained and grew most of the shrubs and trees on their property. He and his wife spent endless hours making the home a showplace for rare specimens of plants. He also enjoyed refurbishing older homes to be used for rental properties. A jack-of-all trades, he felt there was nothing he could not fix and recoiled at the thought of calling a repairman.

He met the love of his life, Joyce Brown Bechtold, at a local teenage dance and were married at St. Stephen Church in Bradshaw. They celebrated 62 years of marriage, always working together to achieve their dreams. His marriage and the birth of their only child, Eric Scott Bechtold, were his proudest accomplishments in life. Eric and his wife, Linda Bechtold, were instrumental in bringing great joy to his life. He will be remembered for his witty sense of humor even when he became disabled in his later years.

His family was of utmost importance in this life and they will greatly miss him. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Betty O'Leary of Bel Air.

If desired, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to Joppa-Magnolia Fire Company.

Due to COVID and for consideration for safety of friends and family, arrangements will be private.