Obituary
Steven R. Williams (59) of New Smyrna Beach, Florida passed peacefully on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at his home with his loving mother and two sisters by his side.
Steven was born in Findlay, Ohio in 1966 to Rand Williams and Dee Williams. The family moved to Wausau, Wisconsin in 1969. He attended Wausau schools until he moved to Florida where he graduated from Daytona Community College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supervision and Management. Steven also completed Culinary Arts training and became known as “Chef Boyar Steve” who delighted in preparing and presenting mouth water delights of magic as a language of love.
As a successful entrepreneur, Steven approached business with creative enthusiasm, energy and utmost professionalism. He had a “do-your-best-always” positive spirit and saw a successful path with his creativity. Steven brought landscaping, pool design and building, in both Colorado and Florida to a new and exciting level of design. Steven focused on promoting service industry businesses and demanded the best. His latest endeavor was fiber milling where he blended alpaca and sheep fibers while designing distinctive and unique yarns which were shipped nationwide.
Steven traveled internationally. He told the best stories from those travels. Often bringing wit, humor and a light heart to any situation. Steven always did his best to acknowledge and encourage others to “do better” and “be amazing”.
Steven is preceded in death by his father Rand Williams, his maternal Aunt Sara Welch and both his Thauburn and Williams Grandparents. Over the years, Steven’s furry, faithful and devoted canine companions Carly, Jake and most recently, Duke, the Labrador, all quickly became Steven’s shadows and never let him get too far from their sight.
Steven is survived by his loving fiancé Jorge Armando Mena Domínguez, Mother Dee and stepfather Dan Erlandson, his devoted sisters Lisa Williams Larrivee (Rick) and Sara Williams Riley (TW), his cherished nieces Chrissy, Megan, Jamie, Catherine, nephew Shawn and great nephew Brock.
Steven will be missed profoundly by family and friends.
Those who love you will miss you, Steven.
Love never leaves.
Godspeed Steve and Thank you for some Wonderful memories from "Back in the Day"
-Petra, Sissel, Jurgen and Mali
Steve and Jorge
His birthday 2022
Xmas 2023
Hurricane Ian
I was so stressed out about loosing my home he had us adults over for dinner
Steve and I didn’t start off as friends — he was just a stranger who kept showing up at my other job, persistently handing me his card and saying, “When you’re tired of corporate America, give me a call.” He meant it. And eventually, I did.
In September 2019, needing a change and a little more balance as a mom and a wife, I took a chance. I became a "miller bee" at Pioneer Fiber Mill. My only condition when I was hired? “Just a heads-up — I really enjoy Bike Week and Biketoberfest. Not saying I won’t come in, but I may move a little slower or need the day off.” Steve’s response? “Deal!”
At first, it was a lot to take in — the machines, the fiber, the dye, the chaos. But I was an artist at heart, and Steve saw that. He let me grow into the role. I went from washing wool to designing and dyeing yarn, working with clients, and helping keep the mill buzzing. Steve never watched the clock — he watched people. He made space for my family life, parent-teacher meetings, shared vehicles, dance recitals, and last-minute doctor appointments.
Steve could do it all. Fix a machine, patch a roof, paint a wall, calm a storm — sometimes literally. He was our Mr. Fix It, the glue that held it all together, from the mill to the Airbnb to that wild pool outside.
When COVID hit, everything changed. But the mill became our safe space — a place where we could breathe, be creative, and just be ourselves. Over time, Steve wasn’t just my boss. He became my friend, my sounding board, my calm in the storm. He taught me how to slow down, how to breathe through a panic attack, how to handle the weight of the world without carrying it alone.
He opened up, too — stories from his childhood, his wild teenage years, and everything in between. He had lived a full, vibrant life and loved deeply. And boy, he could tell a story! He taught me so much, and honestly, I think I know a lot about everything now — thanks to him.
Steve was the soul of Pioneer Fiber Mill. Without him, it’s not the same. But as he told me — “Don’t worry about the mill, Cynthia. Just do what you do best, and everything will be OK.” He trusted me, and I trusted him.
Now, the work continues — not in his shadow, but with his light behind us. I’ll be working closely with our owner, finding new ways to create beautiful yarn, and honoring Steve in every fiber of what we do.
Steve, you weren’t just my boss. You were a protector, a guide, a teacher, and a forever best friend. Thank you for believing in me, for loving my family, and for reminding me to be kind to myself.
Rest easy,
Goomba!! My friend! My mentor
I will miss you, my friend. Your presence brought light, laughter, and strength into my life, and it won’t be the same without you. The memories we shared will stay with me always, and I’ll carry a part of you with me wherever I go.
Goomba!! My friend, my mentor .
I will miss you, my friend. Your presence brought light, laughter, and strength into my life, and it won’t be the same without you. The memories we shared will stay with me always, and I’ll carry a part of you with me wherever I go.
My love
I will find you again
RIP Steve. & Duke.
What began as a story of 10 alpacas and 1 llama living on a Florida farm became one of those passions. Steve became a master at producing the best quality yarn from alpaca fiber anyone could imagine. He became a respected authority in the field of fiber and had such a passion for it. He coined terms like “artisan fiber” and “realtor beige doesn’t pay for the hay.” He was the heart and sole of Pioneer Fiber Mills. We will miss him greatly not only for his accomplishments, but also as a friend, a caring and kind soul, his keen culinary knowledge and skills, his way to always make a moment humorous, Rip Steve.