April 12, 2021 – Click here to listen
Another of my friends, a true warrior for God, entered heaven a few days ago. Bill Fries was one of the gentlest souls I’ve ever me and a true gentleman. He was one of the good guys. He graduated from the Naval academy and served on a submarine for his sterling career and then he entered prison ministry.
Bill was a man of small stature but he was not intimidated by some of his raucous inmate pupils. If someone began to get unruly, he would gently speak and they would immediately stop. It’s called command presence in the military and he had it.
His was a teaching ministry and he taught the La Red way of building character and faith. He asked me to accompany him one time and offer my testimony to his men. My talk was well received but it was obvious those inmates loved and respected Bill. The love was reciprocal. Week in and week out he would make the long drive to the prison to provide practical ways for those reviled in our society to rehabilitate themselves and become solid God-fearing citizens.
Bill died suddenly and no one notified the prison. Some 200 plus men had gathered to hear him teach the night he went to be with the Lord. When word was received that he had died, his tough students grieved his passing and to a person want to attend his memorial service. Don’t know how we can pull that one off yet.
He restored hope where hopelessness was standard fare and I can only imagine what God has planned for him in heaven. Billy Graham once said, “My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.” Billy’s travels through the world helped millions find God. Bill’s unselfish tireless efforts helped countless inmates, and though fewer in number, I feel sure God will reward him with a love only God can offer, a love tailored just for him.
Bill believed the greatest legacy one can pass on is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith. He did that. Well done my good and faithful friend and servant of God. Every man dies. Not every man truly lives. You truly lived and live today! And I look forward to seeing you yet again when my own work here is done. You accomplished your mission and though I along with many others will dearly miss you I’m exceedingly happy for you now as you walk those streets of gold!
Phil. 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything
under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.