Frank Oliver Billett, Jr.

It is with great sadness that we announce that our beloved Frank Oliver Billett, Jr., 87, of Devil’s Corral, Susanville California passed away Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, in his home surrounded by loved ones.

Frank simply died of a broken heart missing his “Bonnie” his lifelong sweetheart, who preceded him in death, passing on Feb. 1, 2022. Frank and Bonnie celebrated 64 loving years together.

Frank was born and raised in San Francisco, California to Mary Rivers and Frank Oliver Billett, Sr. He grew up alongside his brothers, Don “Shuna” and James “Neddie” and his sister Dorothy. Frank and his family lived in San Francisco for many years before they moved to Sebastopol, California where he met the love of his life, Bonnie Mae Smith.

Frank served in the United States Army for two years as a Military Police and this is where he met the famous Elvis Presley and had the opportunity to shake Elvis’s hand. Frank absolutely loved sharing this story and was proud to be Elvis’s security guard while stationed in Hawaii.

Following Frank’s return home from the service he met and proposed to his true love, Bonnie, while serenading her with the song “Chances Are” by Johnny Mathis on the front porch steps of Bonnie’s first home in Sebastopol.

Frank also known as “Sanie” was born with a spirit of fun and was quite the prankster, always making a good time of life. He was a dramatic storyteller and would often share with his family and friends about his childhood shenanigans jumping on the railcars in San Francisco with his brothers, touring the city, and selling newspapers at a young age to help their mother pay the bills.  He also loved to tell his story of working for Alfred Hitchcock in 1963 as a guard, securing the movie set while filming the movie, “The Birds”, and was absolutely elated that he had the opportunity to meet Hitchcock and the beautiful actress, Suzanne Pleshette. Frank was a movie buff and also a music lover sharing the history of films and music to all.

Frank and Bonnie moved to Santa Rosa, California where they raised their three children, Charlie, Cindy and Yvonne until relocating to Susanville, California in 1973. Frank and Bonnie built the property at Devils’ Corral into a beautiful retreat that would sustain the family for many years to come. Frank called it their own little piece of “Paradise” situated between the Susan River and Willard Creek, adjacent to the Bizz Johnson Trail. They loved the country and all it had to offer the Billett Family. Frank and Bonnies’, Devil’s Corral, where a river runs through it. Together they built the life he dreamed of for his family, in the country.

Frank was employed by the Santa Rosa Shoe Factory and many road construction companies laying asphalt after moving to Susanville. He was well known and was one of the best “roller operators.” Frank built and repaired many of roads and highways around the area with his crews, from Antelope Lake, Twain-Sloat area to Lake Tahoe, alongside his son, Charlie, teaching him everything he knew. Frank retired from Herlong Army Depot as an Ammunition Specialist in which he loved.

Frank had many hobbies, hunting, fishing, abalone diving and he always looked forward to a relaxing vacation and loved to take his family and friends to his favorite vacation destinies in the early years like, Ravendale, Madeline and Likely, hunting for a big buck, Eagle Lake trolling for trout and Fort Bragg with his brother Neddie and nephew Al, diving for abalone. Death Valley was one of Frank’s favorite places and after discovering Furnace Creek in the late 80s he would vacation there annually when the winters in Susanville were long suffering with his honey and his daughters Cindy and Yvonne and all of the grandkids. Frank loved to work hard and play harder enjoying nature and all the wonders of the world. He was a family man and was looked up to by his children and grandchildren who never got bored listening to his stories of his younger days. He was a generous man, full of passion and had “heart and soul” and he loved his family deeply!

Frank led an interesting life and was a wise man who would always listen and offer great advice that to all that knew him. Frank will always be remembered for his “personality plus” entertaining family and friends for hours on end with his practical jokes, wisecracks, kidding and teasing and all in good fun.

Frank is survived by his children, Charles Anthony (Diane) Billett, Marysville, California, Cynthia Ann (Bob) Hafterson, Lake Almanor, California, and Yvonne Lynn Hawkes, Susanville, California.  He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Jacob Anthony (Angela) Billett, and Melissa Mae (Travis) Templeton and Chelsey Corrinne Kostick, Holley Ann Marvella Kostick and Traci Leigh Billett, Wendy Elizabeth Billett-Strand and Raechell Lynn Billett and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.