Stephen John Pillar

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE

HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER

BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH,

BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.

John 3:16

Stephen John Pillar, 83, of Hemet, California, passed away on Saturday, June 23, 2018, at Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center, Riverside, California.

Steve was born on Friday, June 7, 1935, in East Liverpool, Ohio, to his late father, Stephen John Pillar Sr. and late mother Mary Smyda Pillar. Steve resided with his parents and late brother, William H. Pillar in Midland, Pennsylvania. Steve's father was one of 11 children and his mother was one of 13 children, who all lived in homes on the 350-acre farm of his grandparents high up on the hills overlooking the river below where several steel mills were operating. Most all the family worked on the farm, as well as in the steel mills on the banks of the river adjacent to their homes. Steve enjoyed the friendships of uncles, aunts, cousins, and his beloved brother, Bill, and many dogs and fishing and hunting while growing up.

Steve graduated 8th grade from catholic academy in Pennsylvania. His family moved to California after the sudden death of his young father, where he then graduated from San Bernardino High School. Steve then returned to Pennsylvania and briefly worked in the steel mill industry. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1954 and trained at Marine Corp Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. He attained the rank of Sergeant, DI, with specialty as Sharpshooter. Steve received a Good Conduct Medal, was honorably discharged with a recommendation for reenlistment in 1958. Steve then returned to California to further his college education.

On November 24, 1965, Steve married the one and only love of his life, Deanna L. Pillar, who he spent 53 amazing years with. Steve was known as the most loving, caring, family-oriented man in the world. Steve was a generous man to everyone around him. Steve said so many times, "I am in love with my wife, family, and love my friends and I'll do anything to make them happy". The following year, Christi Elizabeth was born, which was one of the greatest joys in his life. He took Christi everywhere shopping for mom, even riding motorcycles and buying Christi her own "Honda 50" at age 5. Growing up, Steve taught Christi "how to become the perfect young lady". He passed on his love of animals and dogs to Christi creating "Christi's Dobie Farm" when he had a job promotion and the family moved to Hemet. Christi got her 2nd Doberman she named "Speedy Gonzalez ". Even though he spoiled Christi, he balanced his love with making sure Christi "followed the rules". Steve always wanted to meet Christi's dates so she always invited them home to meet her parents. Occasionally, if a young man did not "meet the criteria", he would have a "Doberman walk him to the front gate at high speed". When Christi became engaged to marry John, Steve was so proud of her choice and loved John dearly. Steve was Christi's hero.

Steve was excited when grandson Michael was born and loved every minute of seeing Michael growing up and graduating from college to be the fine young man he is today. He loved surprising Michael and conducting "Easter Egg Hunts", Christmas and birthday celebrations, and was so very proud of all of his accomplishments.

Steve had a passion for fine woodworking with exotic woods and was a scroll saw master. He crafted many beautiful works of art from woods around the world. Steve loved computer technology and constantly updated all of his computers and software with the help of beloved son-in-law, John Randall, in his quest to always learn more. Together there wasn't a "computer show" or store they had not visited in learning to "build their own". Steve and John set up grandson Michael with a computer at age 3, and he was fascinated from the start.

One of Steve's many hobbies was including Dobermans in their home life. He acquired many dobies and trained them as pets in 53 years, and they were always part of his home life each and every day. Steve loved Doberman dogs and the animals became a huge part his enjoyment of life. Steve was never without a Doberman around him and loved their companionship.

Steve designed and had built a large hobby shop, and mosaic designing studio where he spent hundreds of hours with Deanna crafting lamps, windows, and gifts for family and friends and was successful in marketing some of his beautiful hand-crafted arts. Steve spent many hours tending to an extensive property and garden of trees, flowers, orchids, violets and succulents with Deanna, and together they travelled for years to many locations acquiring new and exotic plants for their collections. For many years, Steve's love of photography was enjoyed by family and friends and includes thousands of photos that he developed himself and cataloged to enjoy over and over. He also had hobbies of coin collecting, and rock hunting and tumbling which he pursued for years with life-long friend and confident, Charles Henning, along with many years of "dirt-biking" and motorcycle riding with family and friend Chuck Henning, and wife Anita Henning, who all had motorcycles of their own, but had a hard time keeping up with Steve. Steve rode motorcycles and fished and camped with Deanna's father, the late Val Ridge, and brother-law, Rob Ridge, who went on to be an award-winning rider.

Steve retired as Vice President of a large banking firm after 39 years of distinguished service. After they both retired, together they decided Deanna would embark on a new career as a Realtor, "for something to do". Steve then became a Realtor also so as to stay on the sideline and manage Deanna's career and "automate" her business with the new and upcoming computer revolution. The first thing he did was to buy her a "lap top" when no one else in the business had one. He thoroughly enjoyed seeing his wife and her successful achievements in another new found career, all with his guidance and love, until Deanna retired again.

He also enjoyed "shopping", for anything, at anytime, anywhere, and went everywhere with Deanna. They did all the things in life together, all of the time. Steve gave to Deanna a gift of some kind every week of their marriage, of every year as long as they were married. Every week was Christmas time.

Stephen is survived by his beautiful wife, Deanna L. Pillar, his lovely daughter Christi E. Randall, his beloved son-in-law, John M. Randall, and grandson, Michael J. Randall, whom he loved so much, of Hemet, CA; Robin Ridge, brother-in-law and wife June Ridge of Hemet, CA; Sharon Cruise, sister-in-law, of Pomona, CA; Bob Pillar, cousin, of Kyle, Texas; Marge Askeland, Aunt, of San Luis Obispo, CA; Susan Askeland Bidwell, cousin; Bill and Joan Doyle, cousin, Industry, PA; Dan and Rebecca Kutso, cousin, of Houston, Texas; Linda Pillar, sister-in-law, and Sherry, Billy, and Terri of Gig Harbor, WA, Norman and Judy Wolff, aunt and uncle, of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and many more loving relatives and friends.

Steve was an extraordinary man who did extraordinary deeds during his time on earth, and he was loved my many. He will truly be missed each and every day.

"Life is a coin.

You can spend it any way you wish,

but you can only spend it once."