I was recently informed that a dear friend has passed away. Bill Fry, of Florida, who researched the site believed by many to be Noah's Ark, died on Thursday March 10th, 2005.

I had the opportunity to meet Bill while I was in Turkey during the expedition in October 2004. At the time, I would have never guessed that it would be Bill's last trip to the site he profoundly believed is Noah's Ark.

I was fortunate enough to spend time with him and we became good friends. He was a passionate, purpose-driven individual.

Bill and I would awake early every morning and spend the first hour of the day sharing life experiences and talking about our families. He expressed numerous times how much he loved his children and how proud he was as a father. I was intrigued by Bill's knowledge of the Durupinar site. Likewise, I was also impressed by his knowledge of the Biblical account of Noah's Ark and the Great Deluge.

Probably the most memorable moment I had with Bill was the first time I climbed atop what many believe to be Noah's Ark. At a 6,500 ft. elevation, Bill and I walked down the side of the mountain as he shared his vast knowledge of the area and explained some of the evidence he discovered at the site.

It took us awhile to cross the rugged terrain to get to Noah's Ark, but once we finally arrived, I remember standing beside Bill, looking up at the 30 ft. mud covered wall. Simultaneously, we both turned our heads to look at each other as to say, "Wow!" But we didn't say a word. We made our way around and finally got to the top.

I walked toward the center of the boat-shaped object and sat down on the ground, I gazed across the vast plain that lay before us. Mt. Ararat majestically stood in the distance approximately 12 miles away. It was, without a doubt, absolutely the most amazing site I had ever seen.

Bill sat down about 20 yards behind me. Over the next hour we both just gazed across the Mountains of Ararat. A lonely shepherd boy was herding his sheep in the distance. I was sitting in the cradle of civilization, the oldest country in the world. This is where it all began. I was sitting at the place where Man repopulated the Earth. It was the most amazing feeling I've ever experienced. Bill had been to the site many times in the past, so I'm sure he understood the feelings rushing through my mind at the moment.

White puffy clouds passed across the vast sky above. A slight breeze was sweeping over the mountains from the east. It was perfect. I couldn't have asked for anything better. Then, from behind me I heard a voice. It was Bill. He asked, "Can you believe it?" I paused, because we had both been quiet for so long. Then, I responded and said, "Yes, I always have." There was more silence. We both savored the significance of the experience. Moments later, he finally replied, "Me too." Our eyes and minds were completely fixated on the awesome site.

I would have never imagined on that special day that Bill Fry, my new friend and fellow Biblical archeological adventurer, would depart this world and go home to Jesus five months later. I'll always be deeply grateful that God predestined my life's journey to cross Bill Fry's path months before his death.. I'm glad I had the opportunity to spend my time with such a man of integrity. He was truly a man of strong Christian faith and deep conviction. His love for the Lord was evident in his daily life. When he wasn't talking about his family, he was talking about how the Lord has blessed his life.

Bill was working steadfastly to convert the Turkish government's visitor center into a first class Noah's Ark museum. It includes a pictorial history of the work done there, as well as artifacts from the site. At age 25, I have met few men such as Bill Fry. No one will replace him. He was an original! My prayers go out to all his family and friends. I plan to commemorate Bill and all of his great work in The Quest for Bible Treasures: Noah's Ark documentary film.

I'll always be privileged to say that I was with Bill during his last expedition to the site of Noah's Ark. When I received the news of his unexpected death, I imagined Bill Fry arriving at Heaven's gate and being greeted by Noah himself! Noah probably said, "Hey Bill, what did you think of my boat? It has lasted thousands of years in Turkey. I built it pretty good, uh?" Yes, Bill Fry has completed his last adventurous trip. He has arrived at the place where he longed to be: Home with the Lord. I know that if I could ask Bill right now, "Can you believe it?," he would say, "Yes, I always have."

Jeremy Wiles

For more information about Bill Fry and his organization Anchorstone International, click here.

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