Steve Billeter, 74

Steve Everette Billeter

74 years

1951 — 2025

Steve Billeter was born May 12, 1951, in Phoenix, Ariz. After a courageous struggle with Crohn’s disease, multiple surgeries, kidney and liver failure, he passed away quietly, in his sleep May 15, 2025, at the age of 74. 

A proud Navy veteran, Steve enlisted while in high school and served during the Vietnam War. After his military service, Steve moved to western Washington, but when friends invited him to visit “God’s Country” in North Idaho, he quickly fell in love with the region and moved to Sandpoint, Idaho.

During his time in North Idaho, Steve owned a small truck farm, was active in the Unicorn Community Theater, and was a radio host, a.k.a. “disc jockey,” at 95.3 KPND. It was broadcasting that brought Steve and his wife, Martha Lou, together while she was working at KXLY News Radio 920 in Spokane and they married in 1988.

In 1991, Steve and Martha Lou moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., to work for the Business Radio Network which had more than 200 affiliate stations across the country. They returned to Spokane to be closer to family and Steve pursued a new career in desktop publishing. For several years, Steve provided IT support and graphic design for the El Katif Shriners. One of his responsibilities was the Shriners’ monthly newsletter. It was as large as The Spokesman-Review and could grow to 20 pages. It was under Steve’s editorial and creative management that the publication won three national awards — the only time in El Katif Shrine history! Steve eventually returned to media and worked for KHQ-TV during newscasts and local productions. 

Martha Lou and the family sincerely thank the Veterans Administration and Spokane County Veterans Services for their unfailing support, as well as the doctors and nurses at Providence Holy Family Hospital for their incredible dedication in providing Steve with the utmost care. 

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Louise Billeter; stepfather, Hal Carmack; in-laws, Bill and Phyllis Wheatley, and Edith (nee Scott) Wheatley.  He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Martha Lou Wheatley-Billeter; along with his beloved sister, Rebecca Bilinsky; and nephew Bobby Joe Bilinsky in Tucson, Ariz.  

A memorial service and celebration of life reception will be held Friday, June 27, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Hennessey Funeral Home in Spokane, 2203 N. Division Street. The service will be followed by military honors at the Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 W. Espanola Road, Medical Lake, WA 99022. To leave condolences for the family, visit hennesseyondivision.com.