William L. Henry Jr.‚ 49‚ firefighter‚ FDNY‚ Rescue 1. Known as Buddy to his friends‚ the personable two-decade FDNY veteran spent his free time traveling‚ playing paddle tennis‚ and lending a hand to others. While at Ladder 24‚ he volunteered in the nearby St. Francis of Assisi Church soup kitchen. His off-hours work as a contractor also came in handy on the job‚ where he often solved electrical problems at the scene of a rescue.
He loved every part of the job – the rescues‚ fighting fires‚ being with the fellows. He never went to work late. It was what he did best.
A great friend, mentor, family man, hero. His name say it all, BUDDY! Never forget you, your brothers, all the victims of that tragic day……….SIP
– CraigI saw your name today .I wanted to know who you were and pray for your friends and family ..Thank you for your services God
– joan opatkaBless
It was an honor and a privilege to participate in the Charlotte NC 9/11 Stairclimb carrying Buddy’s picture with me. I am humbled beyond words. Rest easy, brother.
– Karen Berlin GreeneKaren Berlin Greene
Firefighter/EMT
Waxhaw Fire & Rescue
Today I choose your name to climb for the 9/11 Stair Climb at Lambeau Field in Green Bay today. When I rang the bell I shouted your name so loud!! I never met you, but held a pic of you over my heart! God Bless you and your family, thank you for sharing your Hero woth our world.
– Alissa LangenbergI participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Green Bay, Wisconsin 2014. I was given William Henry Jr. I climbed for him and his sacrifice. You have been a part of my family and husband’s firefighters family for 2 years now. I climbed in 2015 and again today (9/10/2016) for Buddy’s sacrifice. Thank you Buddy. I promise to never forget.
– Karen IrishTo my first childhood friend….. Rest in peace Buddy….!
– ThomasI had the honor of carrying Buddy with me as I climbed 110 stories @ Chase Tower in Columbus, OH at a 9/11 Memorial Climb this morning. I pray that his family & friends find comfort & peace in the wonderful memories of Buddy. He is a hero & an angel. God Bless.
– Jen KalwasinskiIt was my honor to represent Brother Henry at the 7th 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Richmond, VA. My family and I will eternally know Brother Henry as a family member we lost sacrificing himself for others. I will continue to try and carry his name at future climbs, but will always carry him with me on the job. He is a part of my family now. Rest in Paradise my brother!
G. Boyd
– George BoydHDFR
Squad 10
I will be climbing for your sacrifice in the Wichita 9/11 Memorial stair climb 2018! RIP my brother we will take it from here.
– Kirk Moore Anthony Fire Dept Anthony KsUpon arriving at University of Arizona football stadium this morning to participate in the 9/11 Tower Challenge I was handed a wristband. In typical me fashion I cracked a joke along the lines of “does this get me into all the rides?” My co-worker chuckled as we proceeded inside Several minutes later the ceremony began.The master of ceremonies stated “The wristbands you are wearing bear the name of a fallen hero who perished at the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th 2001.” Suddenly a chilling sensation came over my body followed by an overwhelming sense of gratitude for those who serve and in some cases make the ultimate sacrifice. I looked up the name on my band, William Henry, and found a link to this site. I was genuinely privileged to have climbed today in William “Buddy” Henry’s honor.
– Daniel GastelumI had the honor, duty and privilege to climb today for you sir. I may not know you, but I can promise you that for every step I take today, I will carry you with me always.
I climbed today because you can’t. Thank you for your service.
– Jennifer KnightJ. Knight
EMT
Colorado 9/11 Red Rocks 2018
With great honor I had the privilege to participate in the 2018 9/11 stair climb at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. I climbed for William Henry Jr. Every step I took I thought about the courage this man had and with that i just pushed myself even harder to complete the climb. He will stick with me and next year I hope to climb again, for him, and for all the others. God’s Blessings.
– RebekahI had the honor and privilege to carry your name and climb for you today 9/11/2019 at Red Rocks in Morrison,CO. It is so hard to truly convey the profound gratitude and appreciation that I have for you, sir. Your life and your sacrifice will never be forgotten and I will continue to carry you in my heart and prayers from this day forward. Thank you, and God bless you and your family. You are my hero.
– SusanThank you for your service Brother! I will never forget your name! Glad to know your name and your sacrifice!
– KimdgainerSimply the greatest human being to walk God’s earth. I’ve been blessed to be able to call this man Uncle and to this day I feel blessed knowing that my son and I couldn’t have a better guardian angel. Even though your presence is always felt not a day goes by that you aren’t missed. I love you.
Hakuna Matata <3
– CalleeI represented William L. Henry Jr. on 9/10/21 during the 9/11 Memorial Ruck March at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. It was an honor to carry your photo during the march. RIP
– GregRemembering and honoring you today – twenty years ago today! You are a true hero and will never be forgotten.
(My husband and I visited the memorial and did a rubbing of your name, and later put the person with the name. We take out your banner every 9/11 to honor you. You will never be forgotten.)
– Patricia ReifelCousin Buddy, we miss you so very much & we are so proud to have been a part of you!!! Your braveness & courage will never be forgotten!!!
– Haniyyah DwightI was honored to participate in my 3rd stair climb in Columbus OH, the climb today on 20th anniversary of September 11. I continue to carry a photo and memory of our hero William Henry Jr with me. He will never be forgotten. Thank you William for serving and protecting us. I pray that wonderful memories of you bring comfort to your family and friends. God Bless.
– Jen BaranHi,
I met Buddy in 1964 at his home in Springfield Gardens, NY. We were both 14. He never said too much that day but he kept passing by where I was sitting on the steps. His mom and mine both worked at Creedmore State Hospital. I had moved to Florida when I was 10 but came to New York during the summers. Buddy and I became good friends after I moved to New York in 1970. I knew he liked me but we were both shy and his friend Norman also liked me but I would not come between two friends. We visited back and forth over the years and always called each other on our birthdays. Buddy was 9 days older than me. He was such a caring person and I will always love him. It was always our mother’s wishes that he and I would marry.
On that fateful morning I was able to get hold of his sister Ellen and all I asked was “how close is Buddy?” Her response “too close.” My heart sunk. They waited to tell me that he had been found because they knew I would not take it well. I still don’t.
Here it is 2022 and I still cry at times. He was and always will be “the one I should have married.”
– Lucille L MartinThis past weekend I had the honor of carrying the badge of a true hero. William’s legacy at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI still rings true when I said his name, as I rang the bell in his honor. His legendary spirit of giving and his love of being a firefighter will live on through my thoughts and prayers. As a proud Veteran myself, I am humbled to carry on the legacy of a fellow serviceman giving the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Green Bay Stair climb 2022
– Kevin QuandtNot forgotten Buddy
– Michael J CoutureNever forgotten… You have next on court one !!
– DAVID TACKETT