Steven J. "Steve" Lilly

April 19, 1944 - March 1, 2015

Steven J. "Steve" Lilly (IABE ’66), a global real estate management professional specializing in franchise development, entered the Chapter Eternal on March 1, 2015. He died of complications after suffering a stroke at age 70 in Florida.

Raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Lilly was a standout center for the Roosevelt High football team. In 1962, Lilly entered the University of Iowa on a football scholarship, where he studied Political Science. 

Lilly was strongly influenced to join the Iowa Beta chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Both his father, Dr. Jack Lilly (IADE '37), and uncle, Gary Lilly (IADE '46), were SAEs at Drake University. Lilly was initiated into the fraternity on March 10, 1963 and received badge number 116918. He was very active in the Chapter and well-loved by his brothers.

"Everyone loved Steve. He was a great big guy with a warm smile and a hearty handshake," said Gary Calhoun (IABE '67). "I am saddened to hear of his passing." "Steve was a true SAE legacy. He knew and loved our history and modeled himself after the lessons of the True Gentleman,” said his pledge brother Bill Fanter (IABE ’66). “He was extremely popular in the fraternity. Steve was a man of great integrity and a quick wit. I last saw him 6 years ago when he and Suzanne visited us in Des Moines.”

After graduating the University of Iowa, Lilly attended the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, where he received a JD in 1971. Lilly focused his profession on real estate management. 

His storied career encompassed two distinct industries that utilize franchise operations. In 1972, Lilly joined McDonald's Corporation where he spent more than eight years helping the hamburger chain initiate new markets within the U.S. He then lead franchise development for California-based Straw Hat Restaurants before becoming the director of real estate operations for Carl's, Jr., dramatically improving their efficiency and speeding time to market. 

In 1992, he transferred into the automotive sector, where he first served as real estate director for Northern Automotive Corporation before taking a global role based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the Al Mutlaq Group, where he lead the franchise development and expansion of Midas Mufflers throughout the Middle East. 

More recently, Lilly’s expertise was needed by Burger King to review their franchise portfolio and by Home Depot, where he oversaw new store openings in Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas.  

"On behalf of all Iowa Beta alumni, we send our deepest condolences to Steve Lilly's family," said Iowa Beta Alumni Association president Marc Rosenow (IABE '86). "Steve is remembered by his fraternity brothers as the consummate True Gentlemen.  He was a friend to all, having a great sense of humor and a kind heart. He will be greatly missed."

Lilly and his wife Suzanne were championship-level ballroom dancers and were recently inducted into the Living Legends of Dance. While SAEs remember Steve Lilly as a True Gentleman, his friends in the ballroom circuit describe him as a “Grand Gentleman”.  

Lilly is survived by Suzanne; his son, Brian; his step children, Erik, Kirk, and Amy; six grandchildren; one great grandson; and his first wife, Linda. 

“May the memory of his good deeds and the example of his noble life ever abide with us as a lasting heritage throughout all succeeding generations.”
-- The Ritual of Sigma Alpha Epsilon