Bechtel became a railroad engineer after his Oklahoma cattle ranch failed in 1898. He worked for the railroad industry for almost 20 years before starting his own construction business. This company, which was eventually to be called the W. A. Bechtel Co., got its start building railroads and highways in the wilderness of California in the early 1900s. He eventually brought his sons into the company and it was later incorporated as Bechtel, Inc.
Bechtel died while visiting Moscow in 1933. His son Stephen took over the firm on his death. Today, the Bechtel Corporation is still owned and operated by the Bechtel family. Its current CEO is Riley P. Bechtel, one of the richest men in the United States.