Beloved Houston Meteorologist Frank Billingsley Talks Personally About Defining Moments in His Life

HOUSTON – If you’re a viewer in Houston, chances are Frank Billingsley is your guy for all things weather. On the air in Houston since 1989 and on KPRC 2 since 1995, Frank has been a Houston regular for decades.

Now, on the eve of his final forecast at KPRC 2, Frank sits down with Houston Life’s Derrick Shore to discuss some of the milestones that have shaped his life.

In addition to covering frosts, floods, hurricanes and heat waves, Frank’s authentic personality has helped him build the unparalleled trust he has with Houstonians.

In 2012, before marriage equality became federal law, Frank married his longtime partner, Kevin Gilliard, in New York. Their marriage made headlines around the world.

“KPRC aired it that night and there were a lot of (negative) comments online and a lot of phone calls to the station,” Frank recalled of viewers who felt compelled to express their opinion on his marriage.

Staff members were fielding phone calls and spending time responding to messages, about half of which were hateful, Frank said. Suddenly, as Frank’s private life was suddenly under public scrutiny, his colleagues didn’t hesitate to step in.

“They supported me throughout the whole process,” Frank says of his KPRC family.

Frank regularly hears from viewers who credit him with helping save their lives – teaching them the warning sounds of a tornado, how to prepare for hurricanes and reminding them to “turn around, don’t Don’t drown! »

Since announcing his retirement, Frank has received many letters expressing his love and support.

“Thank you for trusting me and having faith in me for these decades; I hope I earned it, I hope I kept it and like I say, people grew up with me, grew old with me or got tired of me,” Frank says with a laugh.

Frank and his husband Kevin plan to continue living in Houston.