My son Bill was a member of the NYC Fire Department for three years. He was referred to as Super Probie at his Ladder Company 21. He rode to work on his bicycle to and from his home in Bayside to NYC-17 miles. He was happy and so proud to be a firefighter and helping people was his great joy. Bill’s grandad was a fireman for 25 years and Bill grew up admiring his heroism.
Bill was a man’s man as the expression goes. But his sister‚ Ginny‚ and I know him as a loving‚ strong and gentleman. He simply loved and cared deeply for his son Billy Lee-age 11. The would go go-carting‚ ball playing‚ build a treehouse‚ hike and go tubing‚ as well as run with Puller Big Bill’s 8 year old Rottweiler. In fact‚ Bill made a cart so Puller could give rides to the children in the neighborhood.
He was morally and physically strong with a wonderful sense of humor and smile that showed truth. He enjoyed watching the Simpsons with his son. Only those closest to him knew his passion for cartooning. We knew he was really talented‚ but shy. His hobbies included working out to keep in shape and working on automobilies and drag race when the spit moved him. He gave up skydiving and motorcycling when he became a parent: too dangerous a pastime.
Writing about my son is so easy because he was just a really good person. His loss is my never-ending loss of an only son. There will never be another one like Bill and we are all heartbroken. He is forever in our memory. His advice was always take the HIGH ROAD; he himself took the high road straight to heaven.
Barbara Krukowkis-Rastelli
Ran the tunnel to tower 5k today in honor of Bill and his sacrifice. I’m thankful for knowing a bit more about him and his sacrifice. God Bless!
– Darrin HarzewskiYou know when someone impresses you? Well that was William Krukowski. Not because he tried to but because he was just that presence of a man.
– KimberlieI met Billy in the city in 2000. We talked about cycling and I was so impressed that he RODE TO WORK then fought fires for the day. (From Bayside, my home town no less). He loved his family and lit up when he talked about his son. I’m happy to have met him. Working on Wall St, for me 9/11 was personal. We all had someone we knew in or around the towers. I was deeply saddened by the losses suffered, then I saw House E34/L21 in the Kichen. Billy stood out in my mind as a valiant man to the rescue. God bless his family, his FDNY house and may you be comforted knowing he is kept in others prayers too.
I will ride this week with his name on my E34/L21 shirt.
I walked the 911 memorial stair climb in honor of William yesterday 9-16-17. This climb took place in Green Bay WI at Lambeau Field. I am a volunteer firefighter in WI and was honored to climb for his sacrifice!
– Kristen SchmidtI will be stair climbing for William tomorrow morning! Such an honor!
– Christy DavidsonI participated in the 911 Memorial Stair Climb yesterday 9/8/17 in San Diego. I climbed in honor on Firefighter Krukowski. I work for Lakeside Fire Protection District which is just inland from downtown San Diego. I will forever remember all that sacrificed their lives that day.
– Brent WatteI went through the names of all 343 fallen Firemen and chose to do a memorial stair climb for William “Bill” today 9/11/18. I wanted to honor his life and learn about some of the people who sacrificed their lives for the sake of others on that absolutely tragic day 17 years ago. I chose William because we share the same, very uncommon last name. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice.
– Jessica KrukowskiBill was the guy who stood out in the crowd, as MARINE recruits we all witnessed his natural leadership, SEMPER-FI BROTHER , 3rd Battalion India Company Platoon 3048 1984.
– Robert ClarkMy sincerest regard for your son & honorable firefighter Mr. William E. Krukowski.
– Carrie MurrayI climbed Green Bay Lambeau stairs with Team Balboa in honor of Bill for the 6th Annual – 9/11 memorial stair climb held on Saturday the 22nd. This was my first memorial climb to give back a small token of gratitude & reflection to the many firefighters whom gave the ultimate sacrifice. Such a very moving & profound experience, my heart goes out to your entire family. God Bless you all!
My sincerest regard for your son & honorable firefighter Mr. William E. Krukowski.
– Carrie MurrayI climbed Green Bay Lambeau stairs with Team Balboa in honor of Bill for the 6th Annual – 9/11 memorial stair climb held on Saturday the Sept 22nd. This was my first memorial climb to give back a small token of gratitude & give pause to the many firefighters whom gave the ultimate sacrifice. Such a very moving & profound experience, my heart goes out to your entire family. God Bless you all!
I did not know FF Krukowski, but I wear his memorial bracelet every September in his honor. I am a native NYer having grown up on the Lower East Side (93 Allen St.), though I have lived on the west coast since the 1970s. Every September 11, I remind my colleagues at morning huddle about the attacks on that day. My heart still goes out to all the families and friends of those murdered, and those who are still dying. Rest In Peace.
– Judith Phyllis LaskowskiI climbed 110 floors while wearing a lanyard with Bill’s photo on it today, 9/7/19, in Roanoke, VA. I will never forget that fateful day 18 years ago, and I am honored to have brought him along with me today, to have read his name aloud after the climb. Sending love to your family!
– Jessica MolterRunning the tunnel to the towers 5K in memory of Bill and his sacrifice tomorrow. God bless him and all those who were lost on the tragic day ❤️
– Hilary KielarOn 11 September, I climbed 110 stories of the Knoxville, TN Sun Sphere in honor of William E. Kurkowski, Firefighter Ladder 21 FDNY…We had more than 400 firefighters and veterans climb the 30 story Sun Sphere up and down until we had achieved 110 stories. We then each read the name and unit of our fallen Firefighter and rang a bell…I am honored to have carried the photo of Bill with me and will honor him every September 11 as we all remember his and his teammates incredible sacrifice to save others…Semper Fidelis, Larry Nicholson USMC RET
– Lawrence NicholsonMrs. Krukowkis-Rastelli-
– Kristi DunhamMy husband found a bracelet that has your son’s name on it and we would love to send it to you. Please contact me.
[email protected]
Thank you,
Kristi Dunham
I climbed for you on Saturday, Bill; it was my honor to do so. Although we’ve never met, I’d like to think that perhaps our paths may have crossed at least once while you were still here. Maybe we rode the subway together, perhaps we stood in line next to one another to buy a beer at a Yanks game, maybe I smiled at you on the street. And while I’ll never know for sure, I know this: you, and the other 342, have left an indelible mark on my life, and the lives of countless others. I will be forever grateful to you all for your supreme sacrifice and for reminding us all what true valor is. You represent the best in us all, may we NEVER FORGET- I know I never will. May you forever rest in peace, Super Probie ❤️
– Miranda J AnglinBilly(that’s what we called him) sat behind me at OLBS for 6-8th. The nicest, happiest guy you could ever meet. So sorry to hear what happened. RIP!!
– Brian King