William E. Caswell

William E. Caswell

William Caswell Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Sep. 13, 2001.
William E. Caswell was a third-generation physicist whose work at the Navy was so classified that his family knew very little about what he did each day.

They don't even know exactly why he was headed to Los Angeles on the doomed American Airlines Flight 77.

"It was a trip he often took," his mother, Jean Caswell, said Friday. "We never knew what he was doing there because he couldn't say. You just learn not to ask questions."

It was an unusual feature of life in their family, which Caswell's parents described as very warm and close-knit. The Boston-born Caswell, 54, was very close to his wife, also named Jean, and to her son from a previous marriage, Sean O'Connor.

And nothing mattered more to him than the education of his 17-year-old daughter, Jennifer, a senior at a Silver Spring, Md., magnet high school with a specialty in science. Together, the two had been looking into colleges for her.

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Sign William Caswell's Guest Book

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September 13, 2024

Carl Larson posted to the memorial.

September 11, 2024

geo stone posted to the memorial.

September 26, 2023

Carl Larson posted to the memorial.

Carl Larson

September 13, 2024

Years have passed but I will never forget the bright young man I knew.

geo stone

September 11, 2024

Hey, Bill. I think of you often and will always miss you. We shared lots of good times, (plus a few bad ones). You were always there for me and ready to help.

Carl Larson

September 26, 2023

I am late this year in remember Bill. But 9-11 will never be forgotten. Yes he could not talk about his work but I assure you it was important to our national defense.

Jilly Johnson

September 25, 2023

rest in power william.

September 10, 2021

He was a good man. Didnt deserve to die this way.

Cindy Roe

September 4, 2021

Remembering William on the 20th anniversary of 9/11....

August 1, 2019

Im sorry you left this earth too soon. Be at peace...

Carl Larson

September 11, 2018

Another year has passed and I still regret the lost of Bill and the contributions Bill would have given us.

Blair Classmate

September 11, 2015

Thinking of Julie all day today, as I have every year - and as I will.

Ellen Wilds

September 4, 2013

I lived across the street from the Caswells. I remember seeing William every day when he came out to get the mail. He had the most amazing smile. I always meant to say something to him, but somehow the opportunity never came. Now it never will. More than a decade has passed and I still remember his tousled hair, his rumpled untucked shirt, and his smile. 911 took something away from all of us, things that can never be replaced.

Del Newberry

December 21, 2011

We'll never forget that day, and I pause today to pray for and think of the friends and family that William left behind. Much love from Texas.

Duane Nickels

September 11, 2011

May the light of freedom ever shine and the cause for which they died never be forgotten.

Painter Family

September 11, 2011

Somethings you can never forget
God Bless America

Sherri Pouder

September 11, 2011

We Will never forget

Rose Franklin

September 11, 2011

Jack and Rose Franklin - Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Rob Gwilt

September 11, 2011

The Service was very moving and it really brought a new light to how people feel about the attacks.

John Bouldrey

September 11, 2011

My prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks. May God be your strength and hope

Bob Carter

September 11, 2011

This message is for the family of Bill, to whom I send my deepest sympathies.
I only knew Bill's father, Randy, when he worked at NBS in the 1970s, and when I worked at AFFRI, in Bethesda

Carl

September 11, 2011

Today, I remember Bill and the work he did for the Navy, and regret his untimely loss.

Mike

May 2, 2011

It was my privilege to work with Bill for a number of years. Thoughtful, smart, and gentle are words that come to mind as I think of him.
Today our guys got UBL for Bill and the others.
God Bless you. Bill Caswell, and may God Bless your family.

June 13, 2010

The Caswells have always been a patriotic and intelligent group, my condolences, Dana J. caswell - Albany NY

Doug Abraham

June 22, 2009

Happy Birthday!!!

Peggy Childers

September 11, 2008

To the family of William E. Caswell:
William gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. My deepest sympathy to you. We must never forget!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Kathryn Caswell

June 27, 2008

My sympathies go out to the families of all those involved in 9/11 and particularly those of my namesake, Kathryn Caswell

P Tabbernor

July 6, 2007

In memory....

Tanya Caswell

November 21, 2006

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kristine

October 25, 2006

As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.

Sharon

September 14, 2006

William, So many gone that we think of daily! Your story brings hero to my thoughts! In God's hands now! I want you to know that you are never forgotten!

Rise Shifra Shamansky

September 11, 2006

Gingi, it's so hard to believe five years have passed. I wanted to pay my respects to your brother today. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Tiffany Ho

September 10, 2006

I'm sorry for your loss, Caswells. I'm sure Mr. Caswell is in a better place now. I also hope that you're all doing well and that Jennifer has found a good college. Again, my apologises

Cherry Mae Egenias

September 10, 2006

Hello Caswell Family :]



I am sorry to hear about William E. Caswell. I was just reading these profiles and this has touched me. I hope the Caswells are doing fine.

Mary Anne Sheffield

September 10, 2006

I was honored to make a quilt square for William Caswell for the United In Memory Quilt. I made several and with each one, your mind in on that person, unknown to you, but feeling so close to them, it is almost as if you can reach out and touch them. May you rest in peace and may your family cherish the memories they have.

Samantha Caswell

July 4, 2006

I am online doing a search to try to find out the history of my family name and stumbling across this site has really saddened and touched me, for we are all one great family of Caswells. So my thoughts and prayers really do go out to this Caswell family for their loss.

Kathryn Caswell

September 28, 2005

So sorry to learn of William Caswell, though we never met, we are family by name. My prayers go to the family and William.

Kathryn Caswell

Daniel Dickson

September 11, 2004

I wanted to say that I'm sorry to have a shipmate in the Navy to be involved in such a tragity. From my family to you and your family... We are sorry. Please rest in peace.

Kathryn caswell

August 16, 2004

I just learned recently after all this time that someone with the Caswell name perished on 9/11 my thoughts and prayers go towards your family from my family.. and will forever be in my thoughts even though we have never meet we are family by our name..may god be with you..

Kathryn Caswell

Lakia Hedgepeth

January 9, 2004

May God Keep you and your Family you are in My Thoughts and Prayers

Margaret Martin

September 12, 2003

I only know Bill's sister Virginia, but since 9/11 Virginia and I had so many wonderful talks about life. I don't think she is ever out of my thoughts.

Debbie Duncan

October 18, 2002

I just want to let the Caswell family know that my thoughts and prayers are with them. I was just told that Bill was on the plane that hit the pentagon, and I'm having a very hard time with it. I first met Bill and Jean when Jennifer and my son attended elementary school together, and it's probably been as many years since I've seen them. Jennifer would come home with us until Bill or Jean got off work. My heart goes out to all of you, especially Jennifer, as I know you and your dad were very close.

Martha Class

October 10, 2002

I never met William, or Bill as his family called him, but my parents know his parents. I grew up seeing pictures of Bill from Christmas cards his parents would send. Therefore I felt like I knew him. Anyway I would like to offer my thoughts and prayers to the family of William Caswell and hope they will be able to recover from this horrible tragedy.

Martha Class, daughter of Bernice and Calvin Class

Wayne Caswell

September 11, 2002

When I heard the name William Caswell was in the attack, I was stunned because I have a brother named William. Our family's thoughts were immediately with you and your family. May God's grace be with you to give you strength.

Maryanne Flynn

September 11, 2002

My thought and prayers are with your family today and always.

CoraVee Caswell

September 10, 2002

I took my grandchildren to see the "Wall" memorial at our local funeral home. This was the first listing of all the victims we had seen. Caswell is not a common name and we wanted to know more about this very very distant cousin. My dear husband just passed away last month and my heart is tender toward those who suffer loss. May God bless and strengthen you during this first anniversary.

Gwen Caswell Forrest

September 2, 2002

A friend recently mentioned that a "Caswell" had perished on that terrible day, almost a year ago.

As a long distant relative may I offer condolences to William's family for a loss that will remain fresh with the passing of each September 11th.

Erica

May 15, 2002

To the family of William Caswell- My thoughts and prayers are with you. Mr. Caswell died a hero, a hero to every American. I am so deeply sorry for his loss, and the only comfort I can offer is. He is in a much better place, shining down on you. Someday you will see him again. Rest in Peace William Caswell.

Angie Campbell

April 18, 2002

May God Bless you and the family and friends that knew and loved you. Rest in his loving peace.

Kathy Swaringen

April 5, 2002

Today, April 5, 2002, 1 mile was walked to honor the life of William E Caswell & all the family, friends, and loved ones he left behind. May you find some comfort in knowing that you do not grieve alone.



William, although you are gone, you will never be forgotten, may you rest in peace.

Teresa Jahn

January 12, 2002

We are deeply sorry for your loss of William. May warm memories of times shared with him lighten the sorrow in your hearts. Our hearts cry with you.

America Cries

We see your sorrow-

and our hearts cry....

We can not erase your pain

but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-

-the American people-

are beside you.

We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,

the strength that gives you courage,

and the words to lighten your spirits.

And when we are left speechless

may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts

to ease your sorrow.

May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-

-the American people-

face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn

Dixon, IL

Bruce Wolper

November 29, 2001

I am sorry for your loss. Sean I hope to hear from you some time. It's been a long time.

Omar Guerrero

October 25, 2001

Jennifer, you don't know me, but I am also a senior at your school in Silver Spring.



Let me just say that I offer my deepest and sincerest condolences. I can only imagine what you and your entire family have been going through, but I do feel hurt and pain over this senseless attack and loss of innocent lives. Know that you, your father, and your family have been in my prayers. And also know that if you ever need someone for whatever, please let me know what I can do to help.



Much love.

God bless.

October 10, 2001

I need you to know that your family is in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss

BARBARA BOLIN

September 30, 2001

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU ALL.MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

WILLIAM MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

Nancy (Caswell) Simpson

September 18, 2001

Though we've never met, you are a Caswell cousin who will be greatly missed. We greive with your immediate family and friends at the senselessness of your death. You will be forever in our hearts.

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September 13, 2024

Carl Larson posted to the memorial.

September 11, 2024

geo stone posted to the memorial.

September 26, 2023

Carl Larson posted to the memorial.