Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

APPLETON – Steven G. Billiat, 61, died peacefully on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at the Sussman House in Rockport with his loving family at his side, following a valiant battle with cancer.

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Steve was the son of Henry and Janet Bennett Billiat. He grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, attending Stamford public schools, served as an honor acolyte at the United Methodist Church and reveled in the outdoors, learning the skills of orienteering and backpacking as a Boy Scout, and developing an enduring passion for hiking. Steve’s love of scouting continued throughout his youth, and he attained the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Balancing his love of the outdoors, Steve enjoyed good literature and had a flair for the dramatic, becoming quite the thespian.

After Stamford High School Steven attended Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts, studying English and Theater. He was often cast as the leading man in college productions and loved Shakespeare. Upon graduation, he was accepted to the acclaimed Herbert Burghof Acting Studio in Greenwich Village, NYC, and continued to refine his craft.

When his mother became ill, Steve set his acting career aside, and returned home to Connecticut to help her. He traveled to Germany and Britain several times, hiking the countryside and exploring ancient ruins and castles. He was entranced by the Isle of Skye in Scotland. An avid Civil War buff, Steve channeled his artistic talent into carpentry. For many years he worked side by side with his good friend, Ted Winslow, at Barncroft Builders. Together they crafted many beautiful structures.

On January 19, 1990, Steve married the love of his life, Ann Harrison, at Marshall Point Lighthouse. They returned often to Maine, eventually deciding to raise their children here. They moved to Thomaston in 1997, then in 1999, settled in Appleton, where their four children enjoy a hobby farm with horses, goats, poultry and the usual mix of cats and dogs, budgies, fish and several snakes. Steve was always active in his children’s lives. He proudly passed his love of Scouting to his boys. He cherished his children and is remembered as a great dad.

Although family was his number one priority, Steve was also an integral part of the local community. He donated his carpentry skills and time in the construction of the new Mildred Stevens Memorial Library, and was a member of the Appleton Volunteer Fire Department. He guided several construction projects around Union completed by the boys of BSA troop 207 aspiring to their Eagle Scout rank.

Steve enjoyed taking his family hiking and backpacking and was an advanced skier, tackling black diamond runs with ease. His favorite climb was Mount Guyot in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He acted in productions for the Camden Civic Theater and Everyman Repertory groups.

Steve’s wife Ann said it was his ability to keep moving forward, to simply put one foot in front of the other, along with the fortifying prayers and support of a caring community, that kept him here with us fighting the ravages of small cell lung cancer for so long.

Steve's wry sense of humor never diminished, and his quiet grace survived through a flawless delivery of his final line: "Over the next horizon". Whereupon the curtain fell on an indomitable spirit, who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Predeceased by his mother, Janet ‘Jane’ Bauer; his father Henry Billiat; his father-in-law Trevor George Harrison; and brother in law S.J. Casey; Steve is survived by his beloved wife (one week shy) of 25 years, Ann E. Harrison-Billiat; their four children, Bryn, Neal, Tristan and Kaden Harrison-Billiat all of Appleton; his brothers, James Billiat of Longmont, CO, Paul Billiat and his wife Mary of Yellow Springs, OH; his nieces and nephew, Korinne, Mia, and Ian; his father’s second wife, Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Billiat; his half-sisters, Karen Billiat Hopkins and her husband Scott, and their children, Tyler, Cody and Maddie; Kristi Billiat Blank and her husband Dan and their daughter Rebecca.

A gathering of love and remembrance will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Friday, January 23, 2015 at 104 Limerock, Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home’s reception center. All are invited to bring a favorite comfort food to share with the family.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 24th at 31 Depot Street, Peoples United Methodist Church of Union.

Those who wish may make donations in Steve’s name to, Maine Coast Heritage Trust; 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 201, Topsham, ME 04086.

To share a memory or condolence with Steve’s family, or to read a full obituary, please visit his Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.