Frainey got his start in the airline industry as an analyst at American Airlines. He had worked at DFW since 2001. He received a bachelor of arts degree in business from Oregon State University and an MBA from the College of William and Mary. He served with a number of organizations over the years and served as chairman of the ACI-NA air cargo committee in 2010.

“We were privileged to have Bill serve with us on the education and research committee [at TIACA], and he was always a strong supporter of our initiatives. Although his noteworthy accomplishments in establishing DFW as an emerging cargo hub prevented him from being even more active, he periodically called to express his encouragement and desire to help further our work. Bill was well known, appreciated and a true contributor to our industry,” Jim Edgar, regional marketing director at Boeing, wrote Air Cargo World  in an email. “Bill was a fine man and a good friend. He joins a long list of contributors to the success of our industry.”

A spokesman at DFW said the family is requesting privacy.

"Bill was the kind of person who would instantly put a smile on your face," remembered Steve Prince, publisher of Air Cargo World , who worked with Frainey many times over the years. "Always energetic and enthusiastic, he was a wonderful person who loved life and got everything out of life that was offered. He was a friend to many, and we will all miss him very much."