Steven Lillard
May 12, 1958 ~ July 4, 2019
Steven V. Lillard, 61, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 4, 2019.
Steve was born May 12, 1958, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Chester and Lucille (Henderson) Lillard. He attended Collins High School, Iowa, receiving his Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice at Truman State University, Missouri. Steve accomplished a 30 year career in law enforcement including police officer, FAA Air Marshal, US Customs Air, DEA Special Agent (retired), private contractor with tours in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and recently, Special Investigator, Texas DFPS. Career highlights include support of the war on terror following September 11, Islamabad, Pakistan, and subsequently DEA Acting Country Attaché Panama.
Steve never met a stranger and enjoyed riding his electric bike in the Texas Hill Country, but his most cherished time was spent with family.
Steven was preceded in death by his father, Chester Lillard; brother, Dennis Lillard. Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Karen Lillard; children, Jesse and Stefanee Lillard; mother, Lucille Lillard, and many family and friends.
One of Steve's goals in retirement was to volunteer his international investigative skills to combat rhino and elephant poaching. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CITOC, https://www.cintoc.org/donate, a non-profit dedicated to combatting illegal trade of wildlife.
Visitation will be held at Lux Funeral Home Chapel, New Braunfels, from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Friday, July 12.
For services at Fredregill Funerals in Iowa:
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. at the Collins United Methodist Church in Collins, Iowa. Immediately following visitation his memorial service will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Collins United Methodist Church with Reverend Douglas Harding officiating. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Collins, Iowa.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I first met Steve when I was one of his Field Training Officers when he was hired as a Police Officer with the Thornton, Colorado Police Dept. in the late 70’s, early 80’s. We lost track of each other until early last year, and I came to find out he was only living about 45 minutes away from me. What a great reunion we had, Steve telling his stories (as only Steve could)-guaranteed to make you laugh! My wife Debbie particularly enjoys his sense of humor. Karen, Steve’s wife is a wonderful human being and it’s been our pleasure to get to know her as well. Steve and I were planning a trip back to Thornton this summer to visit with our buddies from the Police Dept, and take in some Colorado Rockies baseball games. Sadly, that’s not going to happen. It has been my absolute privilege and honor to know Steve and to call him my friend. Our thoughts, prayers, and memories are with Steve and his family now.
Rest in Peace, Brother in Blue.
We are going to miss you Steve. The best friend anyone could have. RIP our friend
Steve and I worked together overseas. This is very sad to hear, and my condolences to the family. RIP.
Rest In Peace my friend. May the good lord bless and watch over your family.
My deepest condolences to the Lillard family. I was deeply saddened by the passing of Steve one of the most kind and very fun person I have worked with while his time in Brownsville, Texas. I will miss having my 30 minute telephone conversations with my friend. Luis C. Alaniz
My most heartfelt condolences to the Lillard Family. Steve was my supervisor while he worked in Brownsville, Texas. I will never forget his outgoing, laid back, personality and his sense of humor and humility. He was a dear friend and helped me during a difficult time in my personal life with great advice and words of encouragement that helped me get through that. For his wife and children, please know that he loved you dearly, was very proud of you and always spoke very highly of you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. He will be missed. May God grant you strength during this very difficult time. God bless you. JoAnn A. Lopez
Karen & kids, so sorry for your loss. Am very grateful to have seen him Memorial Day weekend. Many many fond memories of family get-togethers. Praying for you.
Leroy Barrera My condolences to the Lillard family. I first met Steve while he was working as a HIDTA DEA supervisor in Brownsville. I enjoyed talking to him and listening to his stories about his kids and family. He was transferred to Washington DC and we still kept in touch and wanted to find a job in San Antonio upon his retirement from DEA. Well wouldn’t you know it he calls me up and tells me he has a job with CPS in San Antonio and was on the way to my office to visit. Over the past year we shared some old war stories and talked about our families and of course we had lunch. I will miss his visits…. RIP Steve…
Godspeed to you Steve! The short time I have known you at DFPS, you were a dedicated investigator and great co worker! Condolences to the awesome family you always talked to me about. Rest in peace!
Karen,
So sorry to hear about your loss. It came as a great surprise to me and many members of the Albuquerque DEA community. I enjoyed some fond memories of Steve when we were partnered up as young DEA agents. You’ll recall that our group was made up of Bill Swierc, Kevin Garver, Irene Bolen, Ray Bly, as well as a couple of “more mature” agents. It was almost always fun times for us. Much different than today’s culture. I remember working with Steve and several APD narcotics detectives- doing local dope cases. The PD officers had a friend who owned a pizza place close by and made free pizza for the cops. When we went over and got the pizza, Steve wouldn’t eat it. He felt that it was graft and was worried that it could jam him up down the road. Not to worry- I ate his slices. Too many stories to write about here. And the memories of get togethers with you and others. It’s a sad day. Prayers go out to you and the kids. God bless you in these troubled times.
Steve & I worked together with US Customs Air program in Albuquerque. We also shared a bond both being from Iowa. He always had a great sense of humor & his laugh was infectious. My thoughts are with the family during this difficult time. RIP Steve
My prayers and deepest condolences to the Lillard family. I first met Steve in 1985/86 when we both worked narcotics in our respective Colorado police departments. We did number of cases with Steve’s task force and had a great mutual respect for each other. Steve was a great law enforcement partner with a ready smile and always an encouraging word. We both later joined DEA and or paths crossed again in Albuquerque. It was always great to camisarat with Steve about our DEA and police experience and discuss where we would like to go next in our careers. We even talked about being from Iowa and what it was like to grow up in the midwest. You will be greatly missed my friend. May you rest in peace.
STEVE WAS A GOOD FRIEND & CUSTOMER OF MINE. WE VISITED MANY TIMES THROUGH HIS 61 YEARS. MY 2 YOUNGEST SONS WERE ALSO IN LAW ENFORCEMENT SO WE ALWAYS CAUGHT UP IN OUR VISITS. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY & ESPECIALLY YOUR MOTHER LUCY. AMEN. BILL HAMILTON ,SR
Very sad news, my sincere condolences. Steve made a positive impact on everyone and everything he touched. Steve, job well done sir, RIP. God Bless. Craig Wiles
My prayers and heartfelt condolences to the Lillard family. I was deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the sudden passing of my good friend and colleague. Steve and I worked together at the DEA Brownsville office for a few years, and most recently as a colleague working for the Texas Office of Inspector General. Steve was such a good friend and a kind caring soul who was liked by everyone he came in contact with. I will miss his bi-weekly visits to my office, may the good Lord bless your soul, Rest in Peace my friend – Armando Ramirez Jr.
From Roy Affleck I cannot imagine the sadness that Karen, Jesse and Stef are going through at the moment. Steve was a really special friend who I became very close to during our posting in Islamabad, Pakistan and last saw Steve when he travelled through Dubai on his way back from KSA. Steve had so many amazing stories of his time in US law enforcement and I will miss him and the emails we exchange. Our thoughts are with Karen, Jesse and Stef and are always here for them if needed. Roy Francesca, Faye and James Affleck
To the Lillard family:
i am so sorry for your loss. my heart and prayers go out to you Karen and your two children. stay strong during this difficult time and rest in the Lord. one of my favorite verses is: For HE will command His Angels concerning you to help and guard you in all your ways. i met Steve back in 1991 at the DEA Academy. We were classmates in Basic agent Class 77 and became good friends during those 3 months in Quantico, VA. after graduating from DEA Academy we were able to stay in touch from time to time. the thing i will always remember about Steve is how kind and helpful he was to me while at the Academy. such a nice guy. never heard a mean or negative thing from his mouth. truly had a good heart. not sure how he did it but he was always so positive. wish i could be half the guy he was. seems just like yesterday we were walking the halls of the academy laughing and joking around. such a great person who will truly be missed by me and our fellow classmates. our group at the academy consisted of Steve Riley, John Hudock, Dave Mizell, Joey Tamuleviz, Dave Allegretto, Duke Covey, and several others i just cant remember these days. we all sure had some good/great times. we will all soon see each other……..just not yet. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOREVER!!!!!!!!!! I WILL BE KEEPING YOU IN MY PRAYERS. GOD BLESS YOU STEVE.
YOUR FRIEND,
SPECIAL AGENT SCOTT EICHENBERGER.
We will miss you very much. Our prayers and love to Karen, Jess, Stephanie and family.