Mr. Billy "Sonny" S. Covey

June 3, 1941 – January 6, 2023

Billy S. Covey, fondly called “Sonny” by many, passed away on January 6, 2023, with family by his side. He was 81 years old. Billy was born in Durant, OK on June 3, 1941, to Bill and Gayleen (Whittle) Covey. Billy’s family migrated to the Central Valley in his early childhood, where they built their family roots on Calflax Ranch in Five Points, CA. Billy attended Westside Elementary and Riverdale High School before going off to West Hills College. When farmers in the area donated land to provide for a UC research facility, Billy began a 40+ year long career working for the UC Westside Research & Extension Center Field Station, in Five Points, CA. Billy officially retired in 2002 after 40+ years of service.

Billy enjoyed being the oldest of 3 brothers and was fiercely loyal to them and his extended family and friends. Billy came from a very large family (he had 47 first cousins) and they would all gather at the traditional “Covey Family” reunions. Being the oldest, he was expected to set a good example and held to a higher standard. He strove to always do the right thing even when others were not watching. He was very conscientious on how actions made others feel and was very loyal to those that mattered most to him.

Billy was given a nickname by his grandmother. She called him “Sonny” as he shared a name with his dad, Bill. Since he was Bill’s son, she started calling him Sonny in replacement. Family and many of Billy’s closest friends, started calling him Sonny. It was truly a form of endearment.

Billy married Wilma Hinson in 1962 and they had (2) daughters, Bridget Rene and Michelle (Shelly) Marie. Billy and Wilma dissolved their union in 1973, but both Bridget and Shelly continued to live with their dad in Five Points, CA. He was a devoted dad to both his girls, supporting them and loving them unconditionally. Billy enjoyed the outdoors, and they enjoyed camping and fishing in the area. They also made memories with the close net community of families that lived on the Field Station. Billy was a loyal father to both his girls as they grew up and into adulthood.

Billy married Lynn Rocha in 1984 and they blended their families. Billy became a loving, supportive stepfather to both Tricia Anne and Christopher Michael Hinson. They settled into life in the Fresno/Clovis area. Tricia and Chris fondly referred to Billy as Sonny, just as his grandmother did. He went on to be a very supportive father figure, especially after the loss of Tricia and Chris’s birth father in 1993. Sonny was not only a father figure, but also a friend they could count on.

Billy and Lynn relocated to the Central Coast in 2001, shortly before Billy retired, and lived in Atascadero, CA. Always the supportive husband, they moved to the Coast to help Lynn’s mother who had just lost her husband. In 2018, they relocated back to Clovis, CA where they could be by close friends and extended family on both Billy and Lynn’s side.

Late 2018, Billy was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and began treatment. Billy was extraordinarily brave and strong during his treatment. He was deemed cancer free and had beat his Cancer. Unfortunately, in the fall of 2022, Billy was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. Billy, always brave and never one to complain, or one to impose on others, focused on spending time with his loved ones during the end of his life. We will miss his smile, his witty humor, and his presence, that was calm but ever bright.

Billy leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Lynn Covey, children Bridget Knerr (John), Shelly Mayfield, Tricia Kilian (Brian) and Chris Hinson. Including 5 grandchildren; Brett Pedersen, Brady Kilian, Colin Kilian, Gia Kilian and Micah Hinson, as well as great-grandson Dekker Pedersen. He also leaves behind his youngest brother, Randy Covey (Patty), beloved extended family and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Gayleen Covey as well as his brother, Michael Don Covey.

A visitation for Sonny will be held Tuesday, January 17, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720. A memorial service will occur Friday, February 3, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720. A committal service will occur Friday, February 3, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Fresno Memorial Gardens, 175 South Cornelia Ave, Fresno, CA 93706.

All family, friends, and colleagues are welcome.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Covey family.