Billy Franks

[Billi Franks]

Hello everyone. I am Billy Franks daughter, Billi Franks. My dad took part in the Camino walk this year from June to end of August. Sadly my dad passed away in September and I was wondering who he met along his travels that may have stories and pictures they would like to share? Thank you so much.

 

[Kanga]

Welcome to the forum @Billi Franks, but so very sorry the cause is the loss of your father. My condolences to you. I did not meet your Dad and this forum is only a tiny fraction of people who walk the camino each year, but with luck one of our members will read your post and be able to help you.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Hello everyone. I am Billy Franks daughter, Billi Franks. My dad took part in the Camino walk this year from June to end of August. Sadly my dad passed away in September and I was wondering who he met along his travels that may have stories and pictures they would like to share? Thank you so much. My email is billifranks@gmail.com

Hi Billi and Welcome!

So sorry to hear of your father's death. Heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.

I did not walk the Camino with your father but suggest that you post a picture of him, preferably in his Camino gear, on this Forum. This may help to jog people's memories as they might not remember your father's name but could recall him from a photo.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Waka]

My sincere condolences for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[NualaOC]

Hi @Billi Franks and welcome to the forum. So sorry for your loss and I hope that you find someone who remembers walking with your Dad.

I agree with @Wokabaut_Meri that a photograph might help to jog someone's memory. Also, do you know where he began his walk, and the date that he started?

Depending on where you live, there might be a local pilgrim association that could help you with this. For example, if you are in the US, the American Pilgrims on the Camino organisation has a very active Facebook page.

Wishing you well with your search and at this difficult time.

 

[C clearly]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss, and hope that you find some contacts. I wasn't on the camino during that period! Maybe you can plan your own Camino to understand his experience better.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

C Clearly had the same idea as me: perhaps walking in hos footsteps would interest you, bring a bit of closure and bring you even closer to him as you would share in this wonderful experience he had. If you reached out to this Forum I assume this was a happy and important time for him.

My mom was born in the North of Spain, and that is what beought me to the Camino the first time: walking in and around her place of birth amd where she grew up. Every step was meaningfull, and many encounters along the way gave me the impression they could not have happened just by chance.

In the mean time, I hope you are able to locate some of the people your father met along his Camino and offer you my condolences.

 

[Billi Franks]

Hello everyone. Thank you so much for your very kind messages of support. My dad was a musician and travelled with his guitar. I know he often met different people along his journey and would often be playing music in the evenings with people he met.

I have posted a photo of him. Thanks again xx

I am planning to travel to the Camino with my sister and family next year to learn more of my dads experience. He was astounded at the beauty of it and the fantastic people he met xx

 

[SYates]

He looks so happy! I have never met him, but just looking at that huge smile - I wish I had. If sadness gets too much, remember that smile and that he did something he obviously loved very much just before his death!

Buen Camino and hugs, SY

 

[Richard A Stead]

Hello everyone. I am Billy Franks daughter, Billi Franks. My dad took part in the Camino walk this year from June to end of August. Sadly my dad passed away in September and I was wondering who he met along his travels that may have stories and pictures they would like to share? Thank you so much. My email is billifranks@gmail.com

Hi. So sorry. I was a few weeks in front of your dad. I expected to see an old guy but your dad look so well and happy. Wish I'd met him.

 

[Jo114]

Hi Billi, My name is Jo Guy from Australia and I met your dad on the walk. I crossed over the Pyrenees on June 22 this year and stayed at the albergue at Roncesvalles. Shortly after I get there two guys came and took the top and bottom bunk next to me and we started chatting. One was Billy and he was walking with his friend Russell. Billy was in his 60's, from England, was a musician and we chatted away on and off for the rest of the afternoon and evening. He told me he had a daughter but did not mention her name. I have looked at the photo you posted and Billy is definitely the man I was fortunate enough to meet. Billy was a lovely guy. He was very friendly, chatty and very easy to talk to and very interesting. As I was travelling by myself and did not know anyone I was very grateful for meeting such a wonderful person. I kept a diary each day and I wrote in my diary that I was glad to meet Billy and Russell as they were so nice and friendly to me, completely discarding any anxieties I had about doing the walk. I was up early the next morning and Billy was still asleep so I did not get to say goodbye to him, although I did tell Russell to say goodbye to Billy from me. I have often thought about Billy and wondered how he was getting on and I am very saddened to hear of his passing. Billi, your dad was a lovely person and you can be very proud of him. RIP Billy. I will never forget you,

 

[trecile]

Hello everyone. I am Billy Franks daughter, Billi Franks. My dad took part in the Camino walk this year from June to end of August. Sadly my dad passed away in September and I was wondering who he met along his travels that may have stories and pictures they would like to share? Thank you so much. My email is billifranks@gmail.com

I'm sorry to hear that you have lost your father. It's difficult at any age, but he looks so young and vibrant in the picture.

I would like to suggest that you edit your post and remove your email address. It's not a good idea to post it on a public forum . People who want to get in touch with you can send you a private message through this forum.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Billi
Thanks for posting the photograph of your Dad. He looks so delighted sitting down to a paella somewhere along the Camino. I'm sure that, as well as his name, you have inherited that smile.

There are many Friends of Camino organisations* around the world and it may be useful to contact them as well for any information about your Dad.

*FYI writing in blue is a link to the Confraternity of Saint James website.

 

[CaroleH]

So sorry for your loss, Billi. I hope that you will walk a camino as it will surely bring you closer to your father, sharing something that he loved.

I was on the VdlP in June, so did not meet him but hopefully, more pilgrims who shared the way with him will make contact. All the best. Carole

 

[mickmccleery]

Hi Billi, My name is Jo Guy from Australia and I met your dad on the walk. I crossed over the Pyrenees on June 22 this year and stayed at the albergue at Roncesvalles. Shortly after I get there two guys came and took the top and bottom bunk next to me and we started chatting. One was Billy and he was walking with his friend Russell. Billy was in his 60's, from England, was a musician and we chatted away on and off for the rest of the afternoon and evening. He told me he had a daughter but did not mention her name. I have looked at the photo you posted and Billy is definitely the man I was fortunate enough to meet. Billy was a lovely guy. He was very friendly, chatty and very easy to talk to and very interesting. As I was travelling by myself and did not know anyone I was very grateful for meeting such a wonderful person. I kept a diary each day and I wrote in my diary that I was glad to meet Billy and Russell as they were so nice and friendly to me, completely discarding any anxieties I had about doing the walk. I was up early the next morning and Billy was still asleep so I did not get to say goodbye to him, although I did tell Russell to say goodbye to Billy from me. I have often thought about Billy and wondered how he was getting on and I am very saddened to hear of his passing. Billi, your dad was a lovely person and you can be very proud of him. RIP Billy. I will never forget you,

Hello Jo,

I know this is quite a few years from when you answered Billi's question about her Dad, but I just stumbled upon this page and it's great to read your recollections of Billy Franks. He was such a fantastic guy and could make friends anywhere (and did!). You'll be pleased to know there are two Facebook groups that share stories and memories of Billy ('Friends of Billy Franks' and 'Keeping the Faith, Brothers') and it would be great to have you there.

Also, there are a couple of videos that people took of Billy singing on the Camino. I'll share them here -

kind regards,
mick mccleery