Stephen Ray Hontz Jr.

He was a country boy who lived a life of hard work and adventure.

Steve grew up working on the family farm, riding dirt bikes and playing football. After high school, he served his country for 8 years in the United States Air Force.

He took pride in providing clean water to communities through his contributions to Ace Pipe Cleaning, Inc. and the Waste Water and Clean Water Industry. Steve served and received awards from, industry organizations such as the Missouri Water Environment Association. He was hired as a Jet Vac Operator and moved up to become President. Steve’s networking skills developed new business opportunities for Ace by expanding into new areas and types of work. Ace grew substantially over his 36-year tenure through the efforts of hard-working employees, the teams that he built and his problem-solving, strategic leadership. Steve cared for the people he worked with and had a reputation for hiring people who needed a second chance.

He was a member of Lakeland Community Church, explored Orthodoxy, studied church history and took part in many missions. He served many groups including youth at Lakeland, the unhoused of Kansas City, and less fortunate people in Haiti, Liberia and Leech Lake Reservation. Steve served as a board member of Veronica’s Voice and Hope Faith ministries. He did his best to live out his faith through generosity and the sharing of his story.

Entertaining was a great source of joy for Steve. Hosting parties and bonfires for his sons, Zach and Nate, and their friends, organizing customer fishing trips and taking people out to eat were ways Steve shared time with others. Steve lived with a zest for life that included riding motorcycles, video gaming, attending theme parks, boating, hiking, storytelling, attending concerts, rough housing with kids and skiing black diamond slopes.

Steve enjoyed good food, good drink, fishing and traveling. He and Lisa took many trips with the boys, their friends, and as a couple. After his diagnosis, he often remarked that he had already lived a full life and was content that it would be shortened.

Steve is preceded by grandparents Bob and Ruth Hontz and Sam and Nadine Mitchell and Father Stephen Hontz, Sr.

He leaves behind wife, Lisa Hontz, sons Zachary Fleming and Nathan Fleming, Mother Rita Hontz, Sister Stacia Massey (Mark), Brother Ryan Hontz and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family members.

A casual dress Celebration of Life will be held at Lakeland Community Church, 913 NE Colbern Road, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64086 on Saturday, August 08, 2026, from 4-6 pm.

In lieu of flowers, we request honoring Steve by contributing time or funding to support a charity that is meaningful to you. Some of Steve’s favorites are:

Dignity Liberia https://www.dignityliberia.org/give-to-dignityliberia.html

Water for People https://give.waterforpeople.org/

Emergency Disaster Services – Salvation Army https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/disaster-relief

Lakeland Community Church https://lakelandcommunity.org/giving

Rhythm of Grace https://www.rhythmofgrace.org/make-a-donation

Global Orphan Project https://goproject.org/