Wireless Veteran Steve Wells Passes

By Michigan Wireless Association

October 15, 2019

Steve Wells started in wireless with Ameritech before the advent of AT&T. He continued representing AT&T and other carriers throughout his career handling the most difficult zoning challenges with great success. He was loved and respected throughout the wireless industry. He will be missed. Funeral details are in the link below:

Steve lived life with incredible energy and had a beautiful passion for helping others. A natural enthusiasm infused everything he did and particularly resonated with young people; he was a strong, encouraging role model not just to his own children, but many boys and girls. He was also a man of impeccable integrity and selfless to a fault, putting the needs of most anybody ahead of his own. Surrounded by many friends and family, Steve passed away in Pontiac, Michigan on October 12, 2019.

Steve was born on September 8, 1960 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida to Wayne and Shirley Wells. They were joined by younger brother Todd and lived in Minnesota and New York before moving to Rochester, Michigan. Steve and his oldest friend, Bryan Monaghan, graduated from Rochester High School in 1978 and attended Michigan State University together.

Steve cared about his family above all else and would do absolutely anything for them. While at MSU, he met Lisa Stieler at Capitol Villa apartments. They married in 1983 and enjoyed 36 loving years together. They had three children: Robert (born 1988), James (born 1991), and Jessica (born 1995). They were lucky to welcome Emily Rheaume into their family in 2016 and eagerly await the birth of James and Emily’s son, Finnian Steven Wells. Steve and Lisa also spoiled two dogs, Opus (died 2018) and Guinness, and two grand-dogs, Seamus and Shiloh. None of the family will ever be able to watch M.A.S.H. or Hogan’s Heroes without thinking of him.

Steve’s other, overlapping passions in life were his Christian faith, pedagogy, and philanthropy. An active member of Birmingham First United Methodist Church, he was a Stephen Minister and member of the Board of Trustees. He taught Sunday School for over 20 years (the last 15 at the 5th grade level) and loved introducing his kids to the Apostle’s Creed and Psalm 23 in particular. Although Steve assisted with many youth teams in different sports, baseball was always his favorite; he coached and sponsored Birmingham Little League and travel baseball teams for almost a decade. An immense number of individuals and organizations benefitted from his generosity, but he was a lifetime donor to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Compassion International, South Oakland Shelter, Michigan State University, and the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute.

Steve followed the example set by his father, Wayne, and pursued a career in law that spanned four decades. He received his BA from MSU in 1982 and his JD from Detroit College of Law in 1985. He served as Assistant Prosecutor of Oakland County before moving into private practice, where he specialized in telecommunications law. He was proud of his role in the development and proliferation of cellular phone, cable television, and Wi-Fi services throughout the Midwest. He was a Principal Shareholder of Schnelz Wells PC in Birmingham with his brother, Todd, and longtime friend, Kurt E. Schnelz.

After living and raising their children in Bloomfield Village for 26 years, Steve and Lisa had just moved to Watkins Lake in Summer 2019. Steve loved to fish and watch the sunset with Lisa and Guinness. The swans are probably happy to be rid of him, but his family misses him very much.

Family will receive friends Tuesday, October 15, 2019 from 2-8pm at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave. (btwn 13-14 Mile), (248) 549-0500.

Memorial Service Wednesday, October 16, 2019, 11am at Birmingham First United Methodist Church, 1589 W Maple Rd., Birmingham. Visitation at church begins at 10am.

Luncheon to follow and will be announced.

Memorials may be sent to South Oakland Shelter/Lighthouse 46156 Woodward Ave., Pontiac, MI 48342 or Birmingham First United Methodist Church/Mission 1589 W Maple Rd., Birmingham, MI 48009.