Steven Walter Bilicki

Steven Walter Bilicki passed away July 16, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan due to complications from a previous stroke. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 12-2 PM at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center-BBAC, 1516 S. Cranbrook Rd, Birmingham, MI 48009, followed by a visit to the Cranbook Institute of Science, 1 Institute Way, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304, from 2-4 PM for family and friends.

Born October 18, 1960 to Matilda "Dolores" Bomarito and Zigmund Walter Bilicki, Steve exhibited a love of nature and art at a very young age. From camping trips to Explorers club, he was fascinated by the natural world and its patterns, which no doubt fueled his other passion in art. As a graphic designer, he worked with several Metro Detroit businesses like Cranbrook, Detroit Opera House, and Beaumont. He designed car colors for Dupont, helping add a signature shimmer still seen in colors today. As an artist, he worked with many mediums, including sculpture, painting, etching, chalk, and pastels. As a photographer, he captured stunning images of the human made and natural worlds, often with a nod back to those same patterns, and which led him to meld his own artistic visions to create his own style.

For those who knew Steve, he wasn't just someone you used to know. He lit up every room he entered, impressed everyone he talked to, and was quite frankly, unforgettable. With his jack of all trades sensibility, Steve could find common ground with anyone, from surrealism to engineering to house remodeling. Loyal and passionate, he loved deeply, and always inspired those around him to look at the world through a different lens, whether that be artistic or compassionate. His fervent wit, gracious laughter and sparkling eyes infected all he met. He will be greatly missed.

Steve is survived by his two sisters, Kathleen Marie Banks and Carolyn Sue (Harry Swope) Valdivia, as well as two nephews Christopher (Amy) Banks and Andrew (Lindsey) Banks, niece Kimberly (John Ross) Rain, and eleven great-nieces and nephews, Thomas, Zach, Leia, Aurora, Max, Ethan, Kiera, Liam, Elijah, Ian and Evan.

Donations can be made to Detroit PBS.