Beverly,
I do believe thias is possible.I have been friends with my brother's best friend since I was 10(I am now 65). A couple of weeks ago I spent 3 days with him and his brother at the shore.No hanky panky,just doing fun things together that my DH wont do.
but then again,I recently had another friend,whom I never met in real time,who echoed my thoughts,who was an artist like me,who was sensitive and empathetic and really listened to my deep thoughts.He wasn't drop dead gorgeous,but he was an answer to what I had always dreamed of.Unfortunately,he lived 3000 miles away,and had no plans to leave where he lived.he was single,I wasn't.I fell in love with him anyway.And that ruined the friendship because he could not deal with that.
so I have seen both sides of the coin.I think of my first friend,almost as part of the family.He isn't the answer to my dreams,not my soulmate,but he is fun to be with,very very intelligent,plays the guitar and sings,likes to do things instead of being a lump in front of the tv,and,because there is no sexual attraction on my part,at least,I feel very comfortable with him.Other people have said he may be in love with me.He has never married.And he is too much of a gentleman to ever make overtures.
So yes,friendhsip with a guy is possible,with the proper boundaries,and it is much easier on my heart and soul.