New York, New York
'I'm With the Firemen'
They found Bill Biggart's body Saturday among the firefighters. He was a photographer, 54, born to an American Army couple in the divided city of Berlin, and it seemed to his wife, Wendy Doremus, that a thread ran through his work. Bill covered division and conflict: Howard Beach, Wounded Knee, Northern Ireland, Gaza, the gulf war. "When I saw the second plane hit, all I was hoping was that my father didn't go down; I thought, 'God, I just hope he's out sailing,' " his son William said, but by then Bill Biggart was already downtown.
Bill lived just north of Greenwich Village and he loved sailing, he loved trees. He bought people with backyards trees for their birthdays. And he spent so much time watering the trees he'd planted on Weehawken Street, near the Hudson River, that the transvestites who frequented the area were convinced he worked for Greenpeace.
During the attack, his wife called him on his cellphone to tell him it was terrorism, not an accident. "I'm O.K.," he said. "I'm with the firemen."
To Bill's loved ones I'm so sorry for your loss. It may ring hollow after all these years, but I know Bill's art and legacy live on. The photos he took on 9/11/01 were so moving and beautiful (even though that day was horrific and wasn't beautiful) the art, the passion, and dedication Bill put into his work was beautiful. On June 5th I'll be visiting Ground Zero for the first time and I'll think of him.
Ashley Martin
June 04, 2023
Remembering Bill on the 20th anniversary of 9/11....
Cindy Roe
September 01, 2021
Remembering Bill as a classmate from St. James NY.
Tom Mayhew
September 10, 2018 | Gilbert, AZ | Classmate
Praying for Bill's friends and family today. We will never forget.
Del Newberry
November 15, 2017 | Garland, TX
I walked a mile for you (mile #191) on 3/19/13 as a dedication to your life.
Barbara Boam
April 16, 2013 | Colorado Springs, CO
I am sorry for your loss. Bill's work was excellent and he was trying to preserve history so that no one would forget the truth about that tragic day 9/11/01. May he rest in peace. May you find peace within your heart. Your husband was a true hero. We will never forget.
an American
September 22, 2008 | Washington, DC
Music, when soft voices die
Music, when soft voices die,
Vibrates in the memory—
Odours, when sweet violets sicken,
Live within the sense they quicken.
Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,
Are heaped for the belovèd's bed;
And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,
Love itself shall slumber on.
By Percy Bysshe Shelley
The Poetry Foundation
Doug Abraham
April 12, 2008 | Livonia, MI
In Loving Memory of Bill
Bill had a lot of courage!!!
Neal H. Hurwitz, NY, NY
neal hurwitz
April 26, 2007 | Ny, NY
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.
Kristine
October 24, 2006 | Tecumseh, MI
