Stephen Willett

1955 - 2021

Stephen Albert Willett, "Steve, Dad, Big Steve", age 66, passed away on Saturday, November 20 at his home, surrounded by his family. Born on September 20, 1955 in Chicago, IL to the late Albert and Irene Brislen Willett, Steve and his family moved to the Annapolis area early in his life. He attended Saint Mary's Elementary and High School, graduating high school in 1973. Steve earned a business degree from Towson State University and he and his father founded BWA Courier in 1976. Steve has been the president since 1986. It was at Towson that Steve met the love of his life, Heidi. They were married in 1977. Steve and Heidi raised three children, Shannon, Erin, and Megan. He loved his family more than anything and was known for finding a way to turn any ordinary event into a reason to celebrate. He was a proud grandfather of 8 and was the best 'Big Steve' to each of his grandchildren. Steve's great passion was youth sports. He was a driving force in the local youth programs, dating back to 1988. He coached countless youth teams over the decades, beginning with his daughters' teams. He went on to be the Director of the St. Mary's/Annapolis Girls Youth Lacrosse Program for a decade. Steve developed, directed, and coached the Anne Arundel Crosse Over Exchange Lacrosse Program from 1996 to 2021. He was the Girls JV Lacrosse coach at St. Mary's High School from 1997 to 2002 and he coached the Anne Arundel Community College Women's Lacrosse Team in 2003. Steve finished his coaching career as the Girls Varsity Lacrosse coach at Indian Creek High School from 2010 to 2021, winning three conference championships during his time there, including the championship title this past spring. Steve was an excellent cook. He always turned meals into delicious feasts for family and friends. He was known for his bull roasts and tailgates. He loved to go to concerts and listen to live music, spend time at the beach with his family and play golf. He was a fan of Notre Dame football, the Chicago Bears and Cubs and the Washington Redskins, being a season ticket holder. He had a special talent of being able to give anyone a perfect nickname that stuck for life. Giving back to the community was always a priority of Steve's. Because of this, Steve was a member of many organizations including The Kiwanis Club of Annapolis, serving as Vice President in 1990 and 1991, the St. Mary's Royal Blue Club, The St. Mary's Athletic Association, The Annapolis Touchdown Club, Bilderback Foundation Board of Directors, The Anne Arundel County Dept. of Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, US Lacrosse- IFWLA World Cup Executive Committee, Anne Arundel Women's Lacrosse Association Co-founder and board member, Anne Arundel County Girls' Lacrosse Coaches Council, US Lacrosse- Chesapeake Chapter, Chesapeake Rising Stars, and an active member of Alpha Omega Lambda fraternity alumni. He received multiple awards for his service, including The Kiwanis Award of Merit for Outstanding Service, The Willie Gateau Service Award, St. Mary's Distinguished Alumni Award, Annapolis Touchdown Club Youth Service Award and Chesapeake Lacrosse Association Coach of the Year. St. Mary's Annapolis Lacrosse & Field Hockey Association named a scholarship in his honor in 2001. Steve will be remembered for his kind and charming personality, his phenomenal sense of humor, his ability to make everyone feel special and his ability to instill confidence in everyone he came in contact with. He inspired so many throughout his years, on and off the field, and taught us how to work hard and have a lot of fun along the way. His great love of family, community and sports left a lasting impact. He will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched. Steve is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Heidi Barrett Willett; his beloved children, Shannon Willett (Christopher) Kelly, Erin Willett (Michael) Davis and Megan Willett (Matthew) Scorzafava; and his grandchildren, Ava and Andrew Kelly, Finnegan, Ellie and Sadie Davis, Adelaide, Connor and Lucille Scorzafava. There will be a celebration of his life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the Steve Willett Lacrosse Crosse Over Exchange Scholarship, c/o Crosse Over Lacrosse, P.O. Box 151, Arnold, MD 21012 (or online at https://paypal.me/SteveScholarship?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US) to continue his legacy. Condolences may be made online at: