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Paul F. Bechtold was born in Yonkers, New York, on December 21, 1942. He passed away on September 26, 2025, in Dover, Delaware. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and his best friend, Channel, a loving and loyal black Lab.
When he was a child, his family moved to Columbus , Ohio where Paul grew up. He graduated from Hilliard High School in 1961.
Paul was an Air Force veteran with 26 years of service. He served in Vietnam and Germany and his final position was as a Loadmaster of C5 and C17 aircraft at Dover Airforce Base in Dover, Delaware. Paul received numerous medals and awards for his many years in the Air Force.
Paul was a canine lover. He and his first wife, Sonya, rescued many dogs and provided them with loving homes. He continued to rescue dogs with his second wife, Joyce, also a dog lover. Their present dog, Channel, was able to visit Paul in the hospital before he passed.
Paul was a big Ohio State fan. He was hoping to make it to the end of the football season to see if the Buckeyes would be able to be champions two years in a row.
Paul was predeceased by his parents, Louis D. Bechtold, U.S. Army (WWII), and Alice M. (nee Helwig), homemaker, and a younger brother, Peter, who died in 1958 in a motorcycle accident as a result of a negligent driver. Paul was also predeceased by his first wife, Sonya, who passed away in Dover, Delaware, in 2004.
Paul is survived by his second wife, Joyce L., of Dover, Delaware, his best friend, Channel, his brother, William L., of Columbus, Ohio, as well as his three stepsons: Scot (Donna) Williamson of Bridgeville, Delaware, Rex (Pam) Williamson of Harrington, Delaware, and Rob (Patricia) Arnold of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, and their children and grandchildren, respectively.
There will be a visitation at The funeral home of Michael J Ambruso, 1175 S. State St., Dover. DE, on Tuesday, October 7, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., followed by a burial service with Full Military Honors at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE, on Tuesday, October 7, at 2:00 p.m. Donations can be made to the VFW.
