Cold Spring superfan and ROCORI hall of famer Bill Steil dies

COLD SPRING — ROCORI and Cold Spring sports superfan and coach Billy Steil died Friday at 61. His funeral at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring is expected to draw large crowds.

Steil was a Cold Spring native and for more than 40 years was a familiar face at ROCORI, Cold Spring and Richmond sporting events. It was common to see him riding his bike around town or hanging out at The Side Bar and Grill. Steil, who had Down syndrome, worked for decades as a manager for the ROCORI wrestling team and batboy for many baseball teams in the area. In 2003 he was inducted to the high school’s sport’s hall of fame.

"He was fun to have around because he’d be playing tricks or he would help us play tricks on others but there was also a serious element. He liked sports and he liked to win. And he was very, very well respected,” former wrestler Tim Kraemer said.

Starting in the early 1980s, Steil managed the ROCORI wrestling teams and became batboy for the Spartans as well as the Legion and amateur teams. He saw ROCORI wrestle as a team in 10 state championships, win two baseball championships and the Springers win seven town ball state championships. St. Cloud State baseball coach, Cold Spring native and former coach of the Springers Pat Dolan guessed that Steil had been at more than 100,000 baseball games in his lifetime. The man’s impact was felt not just in Cold Spring, but across other area teams and even leaguewide.

“Steil’s love for the sport led him to excel both as a player and a mentor,” wrote the Minnesota Baseball Association in a press release honoring his life. “He played a pivotal role in the development of baseball in Cold Spring, working tirelessly to promote the sport among the youth. His commitment to nurturing young talent and his invaluable guidance earned him the respect and admiration of many.”

Though he never ran, it was often joked that Steil could win an election for mayor in Cold Spring. He had many nicknames, including “Wilbur” and “cupcake” and he was happy to tease anybody by calling them “creampuff.”

Former baseball player Ben Griffin said Steil was so in tune with the ROCORI wrestling teams and his baseball teams that his passion became a driving force for the players. Steil wore his emotions outwardly and felt the highs and lows of every season. He loved every wrestler and baseball player individually.

“He was motivating,” Griffin said. “He expected more out of you like a coach and would let you have it if you weren’t hustling or something.”

Former ROCORI wrestling coach David Schorn, who grew up with Steil, said he appreciated Steil’s ability to love life and take the tension away for the athletes, “We were really lucky to have Billy,” he said.

“Billy was always there to say, ‘That's OK, Schorn,’” he said. “And then he'd say, ‘You're still a creampuff.’ Even during the most difficult times, he could put a smile in your face.”

Steil was at his best cheering for teammates, but he also enjoyed having the spotlight. He was famous for giving rousing pre- and post-game speeches, singing on stages around the area or “announcing” his retirement every year only to declare his return at the next end-of-year banquet. A hip injury eventually forced his actual retirement a few years ago to Assumption Community.

His reliability stuck out to former wrestling coach and former Stearns County Commissioner Jeff Mergen, who said, “When you asked him to do something, you could be sure he’d do it.”

Steil had job responsibilities as wrestling manager that included sanitizing the mats and demonstrating a notorious cradle hold to younger wrestlers. He also loved tracking the bracket of any tournament and was an avid collector of T-shirts and other memorabilia from the local townball teams.

“Billy was the most pure representation of good in the world,” said David Jonas, a Rockies and former Spartan baseball player. “He was always happy, always smiling, he got along with everybody and was there to root on everybody.”

Steil is survived by brother, Tom Steil; sisters-in-law, Carol Steil, Bev Steil and Deb Steil; and several nieces and nephews, according to an obituary from Wenner Funeral Home. He is preceded in death by parents Ralph and Delores Steil; brothers, Duane, Rich and Curt and sister-in-law Judy Steil.

Steil’s funeral is at 1:30 p.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring. Visitation was held Wednesday and will continue starting one hour prior to the service in the St. Boniface Narthex and the funeral will be live streamed at www.christcatholic.com.

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This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Cold Spring superfan and ROCORI hall of famer Bill Steil dies