Stephen William Wight was born in Bremerton, Washington, in 1943, to Stephen and Genevieve Bottineau Wight. Steve passed away in Boise, Idaho surrounded by his family on February 4, 2024, he was 81.
Steve grew up in Bremerton and Yakima, Washington, and graduated from Yakima High School. He furthered his education at Wenatchee Junior College and the University of Washington. During college, Steve was a smokejumper for the forest service where he spent summers in both Winthrop, Washington and La Grande, Oregon. A cherished time with great friends and even better stories which needed no embellishment.
After graduating from the University of Washington, Steve enlisted in the Army. Notably, his officer candidate school was the first class of all college graduates at Fort Belvoir and formed lifelong friendships. He was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he earned his law degree from Gonzaga University Law School and was admitted into the Washington State Bar and later the Idaho State Bar.
Steve’s tenacious spirit led him to diverse professional pursuits. He worked on the construction of the Alaska pipeline, held a seat at the Chicago Board of Trade and worked for many construction engineering companies including Bechtel, Morrison-Knudsen, and Lemley & Associates.
While at Morrison-Knudsen Steve met his wife, Lois. During their 41 years of marriage, they raised three children, Jesica Mitchell (Jason Rhodes); William (Julia) Wight and Alexandria Wight, his grandchildren Stella Chigbrow, Sebastian Wight, Dillan and Braiden Rhodes.
Steve loved the outdoors, the mountains, whitewater rafting, sailing, hiking, skiing and was an avid bike rider which made for many cherished family memories. His love for travel took him all over the world, quickly becoming a lifetime million miler.
After being diagnosed with Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) later in life, Steve took part in many years of research at the UC Davis MIND Institute, knowing that the research would not change the course of his illness but hoping it would help others in the future.
In addition to his immediate family, Steve is survived by his two sisters Patricia Covington of Springfield, Illinois, and Alyce Fountain of Seattle, Washington, as well as extended family members. Steve was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Alfred and James Wight. His legacy as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and loyal friend will be forever cherished.
All the thousand tiny details of someone’s life summarized into paragraphs. Steve lived a life far greater than can be confined to the page. His impact was significant to those who knew him best. He will be missed. May he rest in peace leaving behind a life rich in experiences and shared memories.
A committal service with military honors will be held at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho, at a later date.
Donations, in his name, can be made to the National Smokejumpers Association or the UC Davis MIND Institute (FXTAS Research Fund).