Born June 5, 1939, in Stuttgart, Germany, Toni was the daughter of Albert Bechtel, a vice-principal at Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium, and Toni Bechtel, a pharmacist.
Toni and her brothers, Peter and Hans, grew up in Crailsheim during the tumultuous years of World War II. After graduating from Albert Schweizer Gymnasium, she completed an apprenticeship in the hospitality industry and then spent time in Paris to refine her French. A gifted linguist, who spoke four languages, Toni also worked as a hotel receptionist in Southern Germany before reaching her life-long dream of exploring the world by becoming a ground stewardess for Lufthansa at the Nürnberg Airport—a job that marked the beginning of her life’s adventures.
It was there she met her future husband, Captain Larry Taylor, an American serviceman who had returned from serving with the US Army in Vietnam. Larry would eventually be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Their meeting was truly love at first sight, leading to a marriage that would last more than 50 years.
In 1971, Toni and Larry moved to Chattanooga where she began her successful career in the travel industry with Lookout Travel Agency. She loved traveling the world and used her expertise to help clients realize their dreams of exploring faraway places. Many of these clients became close, lifetime friends. Upon retirement, together Toni and Larry traveled extensively.
Toni was known for her warmth, her wicked sense of humor, and generous spirit. She had a gift for making others feel seen and valued; always asking after friends and family with genuine care. Her home was a place of beauty and welcome where she shared her love of nature—especially with the birds, racoons, squirrels, and chipmunks, her “critters”, she so adored. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Toni Bechtel, her brother Hans Bechtel and her beloved husband, Captain Larry Taylor.
Toni’s memory will be cherished by her brother, Peter Bechtel (Christl); her nephew, Peter Bechtel Jr. (Elke); her great nephews, Fabian and Patrick Bechtel; great niece, Nina Bechtel; her niece, Susi Lorenz; great nephew, Oliver Lorenz, great niece, Klara Lorenz; sister-in-law, Elke Bechtel; friend Gerlinde Litak and countless friends whose lives she touched with her kindness and sincerity.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to Zofia Philips, who was both her friend and caregiver during Toni’s final year, and to Jeanie Pell and Anita Stephens for their devoted support in her final weeks.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 30, at 1:30 PM, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow at the Coolidge Medal of Honor Heritage Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center at https://mohhc.org/taylor and the Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
The arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
