William Joseph “Bill” McCovey, 44, passed away on August 5, 2026. He was born January 29, 1982, in Hoopa, California, to Janet Lynn Muller and Tracy “Aceter McCovey” Bullman. Bill was a proud member of the Hoopa Tribe and resided on the Hoopa Valley Reservation.

Bill lived on the Hoopa Valley Reservation all his life, and He loved his home and everything it provided. From fishing, hunting, or boat race time. He enjoyed it all with family and friends. Bill was the kind of person who would ask if you needed your grass cut, wood chopped, or a fire built, because he cared for his family, friends, and community. Bill enjoyed being surrounded by the mountains and the river, sharing his skills and knowledge with all. From an early age, you would find him working with his uncles on the family ranch – tending to the cattle, bucking hay or taking care of the horses. His knowledge of horses, cattle, and ranching would forever be missed, as he was one of the last few who had the privilege to learn and work alongside his uncles and great-uncles on the HC (Harry Campbell) ranch, and he held that with pride. Bill was a man of many talents and skills and was glad to share those with all. Throughout the years, he had different occupations, most recently being a Fish Tech at the Hoopa Tribal Fisheries, but a Rancher and Fisherman was where he felt at home. During his life he was blessed with two sons (Athos and Clint) whom he talked about with pride, his greatest accomplishment. He was always grateful to Lillian Davis for giving him two beautiful boys. Bill said when he is gone, remember him as a, “Fishing Fool.” For all those that knew him, knew he was not without his fishing pole. You can find him fishing whether he was alone, with his boys, his brothers, nephews, cousins, or friends – always fishing. So, when You look to the river, with your pole in hand, remember Bill, he is there, waiting, with those bright pretty eyes and wide grin, saying, “We are Fishing Fools.”

Bill survived by his children: Athos Harold McCovey and Clint Daniel McCovey; his mother, Janet Muller; his brother, Daniel McCovey; his sister, Samantha McCovey (Blaze); his aunt, Carol Muller; his brother, Jason Marshall Sr. (Marilyn); his sister, Misty Marshall; his nephews, Timothy Stebbins-McCovey and Jason Marshall Jr.; Nieces, Kallie Stebbins-McCovey, JaCee, and Bella Baldy, Louise, Malerie, Percy, and Amari Marshall and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends that he loved.

William “Bill” McCovey was preceded in death by his maternal-grandparents, Harold Muller and Marie Campbell-Muller; uncles, Lou Muller, Dave Muller, and Harry “O” Campbell; great-uncles: Dan Campbell, Leo Carpenter Sr., Sam Campbell, Harold “Weeps” Campbell, Johnathan Leach Sr., Ben Branham Sr.; and great-aunts, Emogene Campbell-Carpenter and Viva Campbell.  

Pallbearers: Athos McCovey, Daniel McCovey, Timothy Stebbins-McCovey, Jasonn Marshall Sr., Jason Marshall Jr., Doug Branham, Clinton Hoaglen, Harold “Os” Campbell, Sam Campbell, T.J Branham, Arlen Brown, Trevor Brown, Kyle Brown, Ian Moore, Blaze Carpenter, Levi Tripp, Chris Heath Sr., Bob Campbell Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers: William “Pecos” Carpenter, Joe Carpenter, Landon Biondini, Smitty Branham, Troy Branham, Ben Branham Jr., Derrick Branham, Ralph Brown, Travis Brown, Samuel “DC” Campbell, Jacob Ford, Scott Searle Sr., Scott Searle Jr., Michael Searle, Glenn Kiesner III, Ramon Rivera, Carlos Aguilar, Derrick Mularky, Johnny Leach, Jay Leach, Bob Campbell Sr., Robert Campbell, Mike Masten, Geno Masten, Jordy Thomas, Wolf Colegrove, Panther Colegrove, Leslie Starritt, Howard Starritt, Brandon Biondini Andrew “Beaver” Lonewolf, Donovan Lonewolf, Auggie Montgomery, Jed Morrison, Sam Jones, C.J Lewis, Howard Lewis, Lester “Miskit” White, R.J Marshall, Michael Baldy Jr., Freddy Brown, Sylvester “Flabs” Brown, Robert Blake, George Moon, Junior Moon, Clyde Moon, Jessie Moiser, Quentin Mosier, Julious Mosier, Elijah Mosier, Bubs Jackson, Barney Jackson, Donny Jackson, Ronni Robbins, Rodney “Rowds” Robbins, Ed Masten Sr., Mike Lee, Mike Orcutt, Delane Slater, Kenny Lucas, Willy Hoaglan, “Papa’s” Nelson, Roger Sanderson, Dereck and Huston Ely, Jamie Pike.

Bill had a large family and a lot of friends; the names could go on. Bill knew you loved him.

Graveside services will be held at the Hoopa Tribal Cemetery, Friday, August 21, 2026, at 11 a.m.. Reception will be held at the Hoopa Trading Post, immediately following the services.

The family would like to thank everyone who loved, cared, and supported him, from Boyd Ferris and the Behavioral Health staff at Kimaw Medical to individuals who opened their homes to him. We are grateful for the care you showed him.

Bill will be forever loved and forever missed.