Stephen William Lillquist

Stephen William Lillquist passed away on May 21, 2026, in Moses Lake, Washington. He was born February 26, 1941, in Tacoma, Washington to parents Victor and Doreen Lillquist. The family lived in Pinehurst, near Seattle, until he was 15 at which time they moved to Alderwood Manor, Washington. Small town living was simple in those early years without TV—helping with the garden, yard and livestock chores, playing with neighborhood friends, church youth groups, family get-togethers and scouting. High school brought band, football and the excitement of his first car. Stephen graduated from Edmonds High School in 1959, attended PLU and UW, spending 3 summers working on a fishing boat in Alaska to pay for college. He was in the Army 1962-1965, trained in parachuting and was fluent in French and German, serving in Germany in Special Forces. In 1967 Stephen graduated from UW with a degree in French and a teaching certificate. Flying was Stephen’s passion. He was a purser for TWA for 12 years in San Francisco and NYC, during which time he pursued private and commercial pilot training. Stephen’s flying career included, among others, Pearson Air, in Port Angeles, which is where he was working and living when he met his life partner. Stephen married the love of his life, Terri, on March 14, 1982, and welcomed her three daughters as his own. Together they moved to Walla Walla, Washington where Stephen was based as Captain for Cascade Airways. Stephen had a short stint with Orion Air Freight Carrier Emery (based out of Dayton, Ohio), from 1986 until joining Alaska Airlines in January 1988. In 1993 they relocated to Sequim and Stephen continued flying for Alaska Airlines, commuting to Seattle, until retiring as captain in 2001. Flying for a private company would allow Stephen to continue his joy of flying so he joined NetJets from October 2001 until 2009. Stephen treasured traveling and spending time with family and friends. He was involved with the American Legion, Fraternal Order Elks of Sequim and Olympic Theater Arts. Stephen was always interested and up to date on current events and was invariably ready, willing and able to lend a helping hand, even if it meant an out of state journey to do so. He was always game for any social event and truly relished life. When not out and about exploring he stayed busy taking care of his beautiful farmland and soaking in its stunning mountain views. Even when his memory started to fail him, he continued to communicate through his bright smile. Stephen is survived by his sister Joanne Gray (Bill), brother-in-law Larry Hanson (Lana), Step-daughters, Cindi Rutherford (John), Linda Wiedemann (Alex), Tanya Hamburger (Bernard), his grandchildren, Heather Eisenhauer (Reed), Matthew Rutherford, William Rutherford, Gabriel Rutherford, Annabelle Hamburger, Jules Hamburger, Nico Hamburger, Phoebe Hamburger and Great grandsons, Waylon and Casper Eisenhauer. Stephen also had so much love and pride for his nieces and nephews and for as long as he was able worked at maintaining connections with all family and friends near and far. Stephen is preceded in death by his wife Terri, father Vic, mother Doreen and sister Lana. Special gratitude is extended to Summerwood Alzheimer’s Special Care and Assured Hospice of Moses Lake, Washington for their compassionate care. Arrangements are under the care of Kaysers Chapel of Memories.

Stephen William Lillquist

February 26, 1941 - May 21, 2026