Steve Hilsz

Steve was married to Barbara (Cornell) Hilsz on June 7, 1969 in Hornitos, CA. They remained married for nearly 57 years.

He was born in San Francisco, CA on January 20, 1945. After graduating from Galileo High School, he went on to receive an Electronic Technician Aide degree from Heald College.

Steve was a renowned expert and author in the field of antique telephone restoration and wiring. Known among collectors as a "friend of the collector," he specialized in repairing rotary dials and sourcing hard-to-find parts for vintage projects.

He was the owner and operator of VTS Industrial, an antique telephone restoration business. Before starting his own company, he worked for the local telephone company in Salome, AZ. He was known for his exceptional craftsmanship, generosity, and deep respect for preserving history. Steve was a member of the Antique Telephone Collectors Association and the Telephone Collectors International.

Steve’s passion for restoration extended beyond antique telephones and radios. He was equally captivated by naval and industrial history, often working aboard decommissioned warships and destroyers, salvaging precious metals as a unique and hands-on hobby.

This rare combination of meticulous detail and bold exploration reflected his lifelong curiosity and love of understanding how things were built.

Steve was an avid reader and loved music. He and Barbara loved going to concerts and going out to dinner. He never met an all-you-can-eat buffet he didn’t like.

He had a remarkable breadth of knowledge and could strike up a meaningful conversation with anyone. Curious by nature, he never stopped learning and enthusiastically embraced each new wave of technology, all while cherishing his love of antiques.

Steve’s kindness and generosity touched many lives, and he was truly adored. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Hilsz; his daughter, Lori (Hilsz) Shueman; his grandchildren: Alexander Shueman and Molly Shueman; and his sisters: Carol Crowell and Barbara Warda.

As there will be no funeral service, we hope that you will please take a minute to share a few words or a fond memory of Steve here.