HOUSTON – If you’re a television viewer in Houston, chances are good Frank Billingsley is your guy when it comes to all things weather. On the air in Houston since 1989 and appearing on KPRC 2 since 1995, Frank has been a fixture in Houston for decades.
Now, on the eve of his final forecast at KPRC 2, Frank is sitting down with Houston Life’s Derrick Shore to chat about some of the milestones that shaped his life.
In addition to covering freezes, floods, hurricanes and heatwaves, Frank’s authentic personality has helped him build the unmatched trust he has with Houstonians.
In 2012, before marriage equality was Federal law, Frank wedded his longtime partner, Kevin Gilliard, in New York City. Their marriage made news headlines around the globe.
“KPRC put it on the air that night and there was a lot of (negative) comments online and a lot of phone calls to the station,” Frank recalls of the viewers who felt compelled to voice their opinion about his marriage.
Staff members answered phone calls and spent time responding to messages, about half of which were hateful, Frank said. Overnight, while Frank’s private life was suddenly being scrutinized in the public eye, his coworkers didn’t hesitate to step up to the plate.
“They supported me all the way through,” Frank says of his KPRC family.
Frank regularly hears from viewers who credit him with helping to save their lives -- by teaching them the warning sounds of a tornado, how to prepare for hurricanes, and reminding them to “turn around, don’t drown!”
Since his retirement was announced, Frank has received many letters expressing love and support.
“Thank you for trusting me and having the confidence in me for these decades; I hope I’ve earned it, I hope I’ve kept it and as I say -- people have either grown up with me, grown old with me, or grown sick of me,” Frank says with a laugh.
Frank and his husband Kevin plan to continue living in Houston.