Remembering Bill Steele: A Legacy of BOLD Dreams and Lasting Impact

Bill Steele running for Bolder Options at the Dublin Marathon in 2005

In every community, there are a few rare individuals who not only dream big, but bring those dreams to life in a way that lifts everyone around them. Bill Steele was one of those people.

As the visionary founder of Bolder Options, Bill didn’t just create a mentoring program, he created a movement rooted in connection, belief, and belonging. His idea was simple but powerful: pair youth with caring mentors, encourage them to move, physically and forward in life, and support them in setting BOLD goals.

What began as an inspired concept in the early 1990s quickly became a life-changing experience for thousands of young people, volunteers, and community members alike.

In the wake of his recent passing, we asked a few of the many people impacted by Bill to reflect on the man behind the mission. What follows are just a few glimpses into the legacy of someone who gave his full heart to this work, and who made sure no one had to face their journey alone.

Paul Ramsour

Paul working at ELPIS Enterprises

When Paul moved from South Carolina to Minnesota, he began volunteering with the Minneapolis Jaycees and eventually became one of Bolder Options’ first paid employees. After helping establish a strong foundation for the program, he and Bill started another organization called ELPIS Enterprises, which teaches youth basic woodworking and how to screen print T-shirts. Paul now serves as Executive Director of ELPIS Enterprises.

“The first time that I met Bill was in the old Jaycees office on Nicollet Mall. Bill had an office with glass walls, and because he was a heavy smoker at the time, the room was filled with smoke. Bill stood up to meet me at the door and emerged from the haze wearing a bright Hawaiian shirt.

At the time, Bill worked for the Jaycees Foundation in Minneapolis as the Gambling Manager. He managed the Charitable Giving contracts that sold pull-tabs in local bars. With the proceeds, he started several programs for youth in Minneapolis, including Youth Networks (in the Whittier neighborhood), the Incentives Program in the Harrison Neighborhood, and Bolder Options.

What always stood out for me about Bill was his entrepreneurial spirit. He had a never-ending energy for projects, businesses, and programs. He was constantly coming up with ideas, especially things no one had ever done before. Bill was the visionary, and I was in charge of making his ideas happen. Bill just oozed personality. Working with him meant every day was a little bit different from the day before. He always had a new idea in mind.”

Darrell Thompson

Bill and Darrell at the 2022 Bolder Bash

Darrell first came to Bolder Options after his time as a running back for the Green Bay Packers. He initially visited the emerging Bolder Options program as a speaker and quickly became engaged in the day-to-day work of supporting youth and eventually joining the staff, and later serving as Executive Director - now for the past 30 years.

“I’ll always remember Bill’s compassion and his ability to create something from nothing. He had a unique sense of salesmanship and an on-the-spot ability to just create a mission. Whether we were meeting with big donors, youth organizations, or the Minneapolis Runners Association, Bill had the ability to speak his vision out loud, get others involved, and somehow things just happened. Because of Bill’s dream, the lives of thousands of kids have been impacted. He had an unwavering commitment to the kids and the community. Bill was an eternal optimist. He always believed that tomorrow would be better. ‘Somehow we’ll raise the money we need tomorrow.’”

Dan Pfarr

Dan at the 2025 Bolder Golf Classic

Dan first started as a running mentor at Bolder Options, bringing along 16-year-old James Eubanks as his own mentee. Dan began writing grants as a volunteer for Bolder Options, eventually becoming a staff member as the Development Manager and then Associate Director.

“Bill was always innovative. He always had new ideas for how to improve the world. Whether through mentoring youth or starting a transit company with electric vehicles. He was a loyal donor, generous with his time, energy, and endless enthusiasm.

Bill also helped me find a wonderful house through his work as a realtor. After looking at MLS listings after work one day, we decided to take a quick visit. Before the day ended, Julie Pinomaki and I had placed an offer on the home in North Minneapolis where I still live today.

I’ll never forget Bill’s endless smile and how, even when he could no longer speak, he kept giving out constant thumbs-ups to us all. His character sticks with me and always will.”

Becky Pilarcyzk

Becky's first Bolder Dash 10K race.

Becky was hired to supervise the running and biking programs at Bolder Options, eventually becoming the Program Director and then the Director of Quality Control. 

“Bill believed in me and was my champion from the moment I was hired at Bolder Options. He always had a hug and a kind word. He was a great connector and would proudly introduce my coworkers and me to his friends and colleagues. 

Bill was always an amazing ambassador for Bolder Options. His authentic joy and enthusiasm were infectious. As a realtor, Bill helped me find and buy the home I have lived in for the last 20 years. He reassured me and supported me during all of my doubts. He listened to me. He figured out the financing and insurance for me, and when we closed on my home, he gave me the most generous gift I have ever received, but his congratulatory hug was the best of all. 

Even though I supervised the running and biking programs at Bolder Options, I was slow to run and typically ran/walked the 5Ks with the kids. Bill challenged me to do my first Bolder Dash 10K, telling me that if I was the last runner, I could run with him. I finished and watched as Bill smiled and waved while he finished the race with the police car right behind him, sweeping the course. We gave each other the biggest hug. When I told Bill (in my 20s) that it was my dream to foster one day, and everyone was cautioning me against it, he was my biggest cheerleader. Because of the support of people like Bill, I've been fostering my amazing daughter since December, and she has now been matched with her own mentor from Bolder Options!”

Joe Rian 

Joe Rian played a key role in helping Ira "Smitty" Smith and the Minneapolis-based INVITE youth program secure funding from the Jaycees Charitable Foundation for an Evening Basketball initiative. During his time with INVITE, Joe worked alongside Smitty while University of Minnesota football players Darrell Thompson and Mac Stephens volunteered with the program. It was at INVITE that Bill and Darrell first met. A connection that helped catalyze the creation of Bolder Options. After moving on from his role, Joe continued to support INVITE by serving briefly on its Board of Directors.

"I met Bill Steele in the mid-'80s. He and his then-girlfriend Nancy were like the Bill and Hillary of the Minneapolis Jaycees. Bill had just become president, and he was an exciting guy to me. He was Mr. Positivity, and Nancy knew all the Jaycee rules. I remember they coached me for the C. William Brownfield Award as the best first-year Jaycee. Man, they made me feel like I could conquer the world.

As time went on, I got more involved. Bill had a knack for finding great places to hold our general membership meetings, like the Holiday Inn Dome downtown. What a great spot. And he always lined up great guest speakers. I remember one night he brought in former Minneapolis Police Chief Tony Bouza. I’ll never forget the encouragement we received that night about leading a life of service to humanity. Chief Bouza said we’d probably never get rich doing what we did, but we would always collect an abundance of “cosmic gratification” for our good works. Bill and I laughed about those remarks many times.

The '80s and '90s were different times. The phrase “If not you, who? If not now, when?” I think coined by President Reagan but used by many politicians of the era. It encouraged people to take a chance on making a better future for everyone. That philosophy fit Bill perfectly, and he preached it in the Jaycees and in life.

Bill used phrases like “Building the Dream,” with a big smile, especially when things got tough. He knew building one’s dream wasn’t easy, but it was always worth it in the end.

It was amazing how, when he closed out his Jaycee talks with “It’s only the beginning!” it made me feel that his words were only the beginning of how my actions could help change the world.

Babe Ruth used to say something like, “Every strikeout brings me closer to my next home run.” Bill was like the Babe Ruth of life to me. His trademark words: “The best is yet to come!” is a phrase I’ve uttered over and over in life, in good times and bad. You can never have a down day if you live life with that in mind. If you train yourself to believe it, there will always be a big-hit home run in life coming around the next corner.

Rest in peace, Bill. Your words of inspiration live on in my mind’s eye forever."

Ryan Foss 

Ryan Foss - once mentor, now Director of Donor Relations

Ryan started as a running mentor at Bolder Options before being hired as the Development Director. He also served on the Bolder Options Board of Directors for seven years before returning to serve on staff as the Director of Donor Relations.

“Man, what can I say about Bill. I don't have one specific story to share. I'd just say that I never saw the man be down. He was always upbeat and high on life. He cared. I think about my network of friends. I'd venture to say that 80% of the people I consider good friends are in my life because of Bolder Options. And friends are everything to me. I think about my career. Bolder Options came at a defining point in my professional journey.

While I'm currently back doing the good work at Bolder Options, I can literally trace every job I've had since 2004 back to my decision to volunteer there. If he hadn't started the program, my life would look completely different. Because of him, I'm one of the tens of thousands of lives he's impacted.

I wrote him a card when I heard he had entered hospice. I know what I wrote because I typed it out first. It didn't make it to him in time before he passed.

There were just too many miles to travel. Here is what I wrote:”

"Dear Bill, I've been thinking a lot about you since learning you're now in home hospice. Over the past 20 years, I've had the privilege of witnessing the incredible difference you've made through Bolder Options. Not just creating an organization, but building a community that's changed countless lives, including my own. Your friendship has meant the world to me, and the values you've instilled continue to guide us daily. Please know you're surrounded by immense love and gratitude, and that your legacy lives on in everyone whose life you've touched."

In his LinkedIn profile, Bill described himself as a “Social Entrepreneur, Implementing Innovative Approaches to Life’s Challenges.” His aim, he wrote, was “to make a meaningful difference within my spheres of responsibility, in my own estimation, and in the opinion of others.”

Bill achieved that, and so much more.

His spark ignited a network of mentors, leaders, and young people who continue to carry his vision forward every single day. Bill Steele’s legacy lives on in every relationship built, every mile run or biked, and every BOLD step taken by those who believed they could, because Bill believed in them first.

Thank you, Bill, for everything. We will never forget you.

Becky Pilarcyzk and Bill Steele

Darrell Thompson & Bill Steele

Bill Steele, MN State Representative Jim Ramstad & Darrell Thompson

Bill having dinner with friends

Rich Recker, Bill Steele & Darrell Thompson

Bill Steele, Darrell Thompson and Dan Pfarr