American Pickers star Frank Fritz’s memorial delayed amid legal battle over his contested will

The memorial for American Pickers star Frank Fritz has been delayed due to the ongoing disputes with his will between a close friend and his father Bill.

The memorial for Frank Fritz, star of History Channel’s American Pickers, has been postponed due to ongoing disputes over his will.

The television personality passed away in September 2024, two years after suffering a stroke. As more details about his death emerge, his father Bill and a close friend, who is not his co-star Mike Wolfe, have been on the outs as they both have differing opinions on how his will should be dispersed.

Prior to his death, the reality star’s attorney filed a “will prior to death” to protect the document. However, four months after his passing, a lawyer representing an unnamed friend demanded a trial to determine the fate of Fritz’s estate and $6 million fortune.

The latest twist in the saga involves Fritz’s memorial service, which was scheduled for spring but has now been delayed indefinitely due to his father Bill’s challenge to the will, which he claims is a forgery.

“It is a fake will. He did not have a will. He did not sign it,” Bill told The US Sun.

“I am his only loved one. I am his only survivor. None of them are related to him. I am the only relation he has.”

He continued: “All the others are trying to get money. They are nothing but people who worked for him.”

A friend, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke out shortly afterwards, suggesting that Bill’s motives for challenging the will were not pure and that he wanted it dismissed so he could inherit his son’s fortune as the closest living relative.

According to the friend, Frank’s father was also allegedly largely absent from both his life and his health struggles. Bill has not responded to these claims.

The reality star had been dreaming of a “grand celebration with his friends,” those who truly knew how he wanted his life to be celebrated.

According to an insider, his companions have already made arrangements for the tribute.

The source shared: “His close motorcycle family planned a motorcycle run that includes riding Frank’s ashes to Savanna, Illinois, where his longtime friend Jerry runs his antique store. They planned to have live music, possibly blocking off streets.”

“That is all for now, but they do have plans for more,” they noted, revealing the preparations for the memorial were underway when Frank’s father contested the will.

The insider claimed: “His father did not know what his son wanted.”

The Mirror US has reached out to Bill Fritz’s legal team for further comment.