Gladys Evelyn Bechtel

Gladys Evelyn Owings Bechtel went to be with the Lord on November 27, 2007, at the age of 92. Graveside services will be held Saturday, December 1, 1:30 p.m., at the Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches, Texas, with Dr. Bruce Cresson officiating. Visitation with the family will be held from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Friday, November 30, in the Garden Room at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Waco, Texas, 76710. Gladys’ parents were William B. Owings and Mary Estelle Davis. She was married to Norbert G. Bechtel for 50 years. A native of Mississippi, she lived in Groves, Texas, for more than 50 years, before moving to Waco in 1988 where she became a member of the Ruth Sunday School Class and the Willing Workers SS class at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, Waco. Gladys had been an active member of Groves Order of Eastern Star No. 953. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers and two sisters and is survived by her son, Dr. George Bechtel, and his wife, Betsy, of Palo Alto, CA; her daughter, Joyce, and her husband, Dr. Jim Bargainer, of Waco, TX; four grandchildren, David Bargainer of The Woodlands, TX; Laura Cresson of Lorena, TX; Chris Bechtel of Los Angeles, CA; and Kate Karlson of White Salmon, WA.; nine great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. Gladys Bechtel was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She showed great courage in moving away from her home to make a new life in Waco. Gladys was a quiet, gracious lady who will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Building Fund of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church Waco, Texas. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbaily.com.