of West Memphis, AR
November 25, 1949 - January 12, 2025
Billy Covington, Sr. passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, January 12, 2025. He was born on November 25, 1949 in Lepanto, Arkansas to the late John Tom and Alice Clark Covington. Billy was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, J.T. Covington and Jimmy Dale Covington.
After graduating high school, Billy enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge in 1971, he moved to West Memphis, Arkansas and began his 36-year career in law enforcement. Billy first served as a patrol officer with the West Memphis Police Department for 17 years before joining the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department, where he dedicated another 19 years as a deputy sheriff until his retirement in March 2020.
Billy loved his family deeply and looked for any chance to combine his passion for hunting and fishing with time spent with them. With a larger-than-life personality, Billy never met a stranger. He had a gift for making people feel welcome, striking up conversations wherever he went and sharing his signature humor through jokes and lighthearted stories that always brought a smile to those around him.
Billy is survived by his wife of 47 years, Diana Covington of West Memphis, Arkansas; three sons, Billy Covington, Jr. (Autumn) of West Memphis, David Covington (Allison) of Springdale and Eric Covington of West Memphis; one daughter, Shanna (Matt) of Marion; one nephew, Tracy Covington (Kim) of Marion; ten grandchildren; one great-nephew; one great-niece and several great-great-nephews and nieces.
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31 Condolence(s)
Vearlene Williamson
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Diane. Love,prayers, and hugs for you and your family.
I am sorry for your loss.
Kat Armstrong
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
I’m sad to get this news. I always enjoyed working with Billy when he worked for Walmart. He was funny and could always make me smile. I will miss him.
Janice Cole
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
My heart melted when I got the news a wonderful person he was always smiling and full of jokes he never met a stranger. His personality and professionalism was always showing compassion to all he came in contact with. Working with him was a joy. God has a great soldier in his army prayers to his family may God grant you with love peace and mercy I’m going to miss you my friend
Kymara Gammon
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Mr.Billy was a great man and he will be missed.
STEVE & CARISSA KIRK GRIFFIN
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YA'LLS LOSS OF BILLY! KNEW BILLY A LONG TIIME, HE NEVER MET A STRANGER AND WAS A GREAT FRIEND TO ALL THAT KNEW HIM. DIANA, YOU AND ALL THE FAMILY WILL BE IN OUR THOUGTHS AND PRAYERS DAILY!!!!
Donna Kane
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Praying for you all at this sad time. Billy was a joy to work with and a kind friend.
RIP Billy. You will be missed by many
Eddie Sides
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
I'm sorry for the your loss and God bless you in this difficult time
Kevin Sharp
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Billy was always kind to me when we saw each other in public. He was a great man. Prayers for the family!
Nancy Bailey
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Rest in peace, my friend it was a pleasure working with you, knowing you forward to 50 years in my life you are such a jewel for our communityI
Greg Masengale
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Billy was a good man prayers for the family
Don Jenkins
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Fly High my friend! Going to miss you. Prayers for your family. RIP
Sharon Barton Ayers
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
I am grateful to have met and talked with him for years. He was always joking with my husband .
His smile and presence were assuring and always kind. His concern and mentoring was a goal for each of us.
God bless his family. Be with all that miss him.
Praying for loved ones and friends
Barbara J Gholson
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Billy was a good friend and the best neighbor anyone could ever have. I'm gonna miss you my friend. Praying for the family
Rick Matthews
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Billy will be missed by all who knew him. I always enjoyed talking with him and his jokes. Joe never met a stranger and he was a first class officer and family man. Prayers for his family
Kristy K Simmons
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Mr Billy was a great man he will be missed by all your whole family is in my prayers
Sherry & Allen
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Hugs to this family...Billy was indeed full of life and loved to talk and tell stories... prayers that God will provide strength to Diana & Shanna and all family.
Raina Franks
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Mr. Covington was a blessing to work and know throughout my years at the Sheriff’s Department. Praying for the family.
Karen Graham
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Diana, if words could mend broken hearts, I would speak them, but I do know God's grace will be sufficient. We go back many years from baseball days, to frog gigging days, to fishing days and many more days. Billy was always there for anyone who needed him. He was a friend to all and all was his friend. I know he was a good husband and father. He will truly will be missed, but not forgotten. My prayers will be with all and may God protect and hold all of you in his hand.
Butch Cordell
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Diana and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Billy. He was a good man and wonderful friend. He was always in a good mood and a pleasant guy to be around. He was loved by many and liked by all. Rest in peace my friend. Butch
Lynn and Kaye Stanfield
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
We are so sorry to hear of Billy's passing. He was a fine man. He will be missed by so many. Our prayers are with the family in the days ahead. May the love of God comfort you in this, your time of need.
Dentie and Becky Doyle
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. Billy was such a good person and always willing to help those in need. I met him for the first time when Shanna was in my class way back when. We know he lived a blessed life and loved his family greatly.
Michael W. Allen
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
I worked with Billy both at the West Memphis Police Department and the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department. I will always cherish his memory and always remember his grin and laughter. He made the world just a little bit better every day with making others feel better through stories and humor. I know his number one love was that of his family. My deepest condolences to his wife, Daughter and sons. May God place his arms around you as you go through this time of sorrow. I know Billy made such a difference in everyone he came in contacts life, and we are all better because of him.
Dena Forbus Webb
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
My prayers are with you all. Billy was a true gem and was so easy to talk to. I have many memories of him hunting with my Dad. May each of you know that your how truly special he was.
Andy Luttrell
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Prayers for the Covington family.
Andy Luttrell
Deborah Conlee
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Diana, I am so very sorry to hear about Bill. I met you both when y'all were dating so many years ago. I remember he always had a good sense of humor and was so kind and respectful. He was definitely the epitome of what a law enforcement officer should be and WM and the county was blessed for his service. I'm praying for you in these days to come.
Nannie Childress
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Billy will be missed !! I worked with him at Walmart also !! My prayers are with the family.
Tim Espinoza
Monday, January 13, 2025
A great man , loved his family RIP my friend you will be missed
Cain Wheeler
Monday, January 13, 2025
Praying for you all. Good memories of Billy working security at Walmart
Martha Hunt
Monday, January 13, 2025
I have known Billy for many many years. Terry and I thought a lot of him. A friend and neighbor. You could tell how much he loved his family. A good guy. Rest in peace dear friend.
David Bassford
Monday, January 13, 2025
Billy was a very close friend and we worked together for several years on the West Memphis Police Dept. He was a very good man and Dad. He will be missed and my prayers go out to his family
David Bassford
Monday, January 13, 2025
Billy was a very close friend and we worked together for several years on the West Memphis Police Dept. He was a very good man and Dad. He will be missed and my prayers go out to his family