Darrell Sinclair Billups

Rest in peace our beloved Speedway Racer, Darrell Sinclair Billups. 

Darrell passed away peacefully, at the age of 89 years old, on the evening of Sunday April 21^st at his home in Redwood Valley California. At his time of death, he was accompanied by his grandson, John Rodriguez, his life partner, Edythe ‘Marlene’ Turri and their two fur babies, Rocky & Digger Billups. Leading up to his last days, Darrell was especially appreciative of his graceful great granddaughter Larissa Rodriguez for selflessly caring and watching over him.

Darrell was born in Bert County, San Diego, California on November 6^th, 1934, to his loving parents Luella Matilda Piepenburg of California and John Lee Billups of Nebraska. 

Darrell was proceeded in death by his sons Steven Earl Benson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Michael Scotty Billups of Sydney, Nebraska. Darrell was proceeded in death by his siblings, Ralph Billups, Jack Billups, Don Billups, and Mary Simmons. Darrell was also proceeded in death by his former spouse Ruby Erma Reynolds of Baker, Montana. Rest in peace our beloved Ruby.

Darrell is survived by his son John Billups of Ekalaka, Montana and his daughter Teresa Valle of Ukiah, California; his grandsons: John Rodriguez, Nick Valle, Patrick Benson, John Billups, and his granddaughters: Darcy King-Wenderoth, Michelle Billups, Rachel Billups, Chanelle Nicole Billups, Veronica Ceratto, Krista Bailey, and Elena Valle and his former spouse Donna Banks of Athens, Georgia. As well as numerous lovingly proud great nieces and nephews.

Darrell was an extremely jovial and intelligent man of many talents. He was best known for his decades supporting the Mendocino County community as an automotive shop owner and mechanic. He owned and operated Darrell’s Car Care in Ukiah, California for over 20 years. Always an innate enthusiast of the daring fast lane, Darrell was a proud founding father of both the Lakeport Speedway in Lakeport, California and the Ukiah Speedway in Ukiah, California. He specifically enjoyed building and racing Dunne Buggies. His favorite place to drive them was in Shelter Cove, Northern California. He was a proud member of the Forty Niners Gold Prospecting Group at The Happy Camp in Northern California. Some of his most fond memories stemmed from time spent camping with friends and family. He was a contractor of multiple homes in Redwood Valley, California. He loved all animals and time spent observing nature. His friends and family could always find him keeping busy tinkering with projects in his home workshops. He spent much of his life residing at his home on Fisher Lake Drive off of Tomki Road in Redwood Valley, California before relocating to his second property on Road D in Redwood Valley, California. 

To know Darrell was to love and respect him. He was exemplarily caring and compassionate. He was hard working and always ethically cognizant of his place in this world. He prioritized instilling his best attributes in his children and grandchildren. 

Per Darrell’s request, he has been cremated at Eversole Mortuary in Ukiah, CA. Also, per Darrell’s wishes, his remains are with his granddaughter, Darcy King-Wenderoth at her home in Rincon, Georgia. Darrell specifically requested that neither an official service nor memorial to be held in his name.

 The world is a better place due to inherently genuine men such as Darrell Sinclair Billups.

 Rest easy Darrell, we all love you endlessly.