William R. Steiner

Family Tribute:William R. SteinerApril 18, 1945 - September 11, 2001

Born in Newark, New Jersey a middle son, Bill lived most of his young life in New Jersey. He graduated Weequahic High School in 1962, and went on to graduate from the College of Insurance/St. Johns University. In 1969 he and Russa Friedman were married, residing their first year in Edison, New Jersey. The couple moved to Los Angeles, California for a brief time and then settled in Hamilton, New Jersey where they were blessed with three children: Meredith, Jordan, and Darren. In 1987 the family moved to Solebury Township.

Bill began his career at Guy Carpenter, a subsidiary of Marsh, Inc. in 1970. Moving through the ranks he was most recently Managing Director for Information Technology for the company. He loved working in New York City, where his office on the 97th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower had a magnificent view of the city. He was there, at 8:48 AM on September 11, 2001, when he and so many others were so unjustly taken from us.

Well respected and admired, family and friends remember Bill as a devoted family man with an impeccable work ethic. He enjoyed watching videos and sports, listening to music, traveling and learning about history. A car enthusiast for many years, he loved staying at home and tinkering. With a reserved personality, people who knew him appreciated his generosity and sense of humor. By the way he lived his life, he has been a role model to many. He is already sorely missed.

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I knew Bill in his youth — we both played on a baseball team, the Diamonds, and Bill lived with his family at the corner of Avon Avenue and 15th Street, around the corner from me and my family. The team was a funny group of young guys, not quite official little league, not quite American Legion, in a sort-of league with other teams, mostly in the Irvington-Newark area. Bill was always one of the best players, could always hit well; my mental image of him is hitting a deep double to the right-center gap, where there were a bunch of bushes. Sometimes he pitched, as did his brother George, and he did that well, too. We lost touch after awhile, and I was surprised and saddened to hear of his loss. My belated condolences to his wife and family, and thank you to Marsh McClennan for keeping the tribute going.
Richard Roznoy, Friend
Sep 13 2023 5:50PM
I worked as Mr. Bill Steiner's Executive Assistant until May 2000. He was a wonderful boss and I'm truly grieved for his family and friends. It's been twenty years and it still hurts. I pray God's comfort and peace to all who loved him.
Jacqueline Berry, Colleague
Sep 11 2021 5:17PM
I fondly remember Bill in my class at Weequahic High School and so sorry for his loss! It doesn’t seem possible that it has been twenty years and has taken that long for me to come to terms with his loss.
Wesley Gromlich, Friend
Sep 11 2021 1:16AM
It has been twenty long years since your tragic passing, Bill. Memories of you will live forever, even though 9/11 brought about your tragic end, and also the innocent lives of three thousand others. I remember you as a classmate of yours, in Weequahic High School, in Newark, New Jersey. We both graduated in June, 1962. I still recall how sweet and shy you were, with a ready smile for everyone who knew you. Surely, you are an angel in the highest echelon of Heaven, and your martyrdom will never be lost or forgotten from every American soul, and all peace loving nations of the world. Rest in peace, dear Bill. You were truly such a decent person, and what, in my Jewish religion, we call a "mensch." Eternal love goes out to your family and loved ones, may G-d bless them always, and may they live their life in peace from the horrors our nation suffered on September 11, 2001. You will be forever mourned and you, together with all the victims of 9/11, will NEVER be forgotten. Your friend and fellow classmate, Barb, from Weequahic High
Barbara L. Rothschild-Mac Calla, (nee Kresch), Friend
Sep 14 2021 3:02AM
I very much enjoyed sitting on the tribute bench in New Hope today. I saw a beautiful family of swans, and kayakers playing in the lower than usual rapids below the dam. Thought William’s family would like to know the bench is appreciated by this neighbor. I hope time has brought some healing.
Jess, Friend
Sep 15 2020 8:55PM
Kind of a New "Friend" today, just a guy visiting New Hope, PA, and walking the tow-path along the Delaware River, sat my tired bones down on this Fine Bench I saw just South of New Hope and "met" William. Walked away thanking William and his family for enriching my life by making his acquaintance...I just know that you do Rest In Peace, Sir ! .
Lou Bristol, Friend
Jun 15 2017 6:53PM
I was a crazy 17 year old just out of mailroom and promoted to computer room in 1977. There I met Bill as he would punch cards to feed programs into old Honeywell computer. Ten years later I was supervisor of computer room and he was a senior v. p. I left in 1987 but still today I remenber that special way about him I will never forget. Sharp and witty sense of humor.
joseph picone, Colleague
Dec 5 2011 8:12PM
It's hard to believe that nine years have past; my memories of Bill are still fresh in my mind and he is always in my prayers, I worked for him for many years, starting in 1982. He was a consistently kind, generous, thoughtful and wonderful person and genuinely cared about others. My warmest regards to the Russa, Meredith, Jordan and Darren - he was always so proud of you all and loved to show off your pictures in his office....
Tammy Bilitzky, Colleague
Sep 12 2010 12:01AM
I was Bill's Human Resources Representative back in 1990 at Guy Carpenter. Having just graduated from college with a sociology/business degree I had NO CLUE what the technology dept did and Bill was sooo patient & kind. Any time I would make a mistake (and there were many) he would just smile and shake his head............. sometimes even laugh :) I will always remember how understanding he was. A great first boss! I will always remember him with a smile. God bless his family.
Jeanne Burrus, Colleague
Mar 27 2010 7:36PM
On this seventh anniversary, sitting at my computer looking at the list of names provided by the NY Times, I randomly picked one name to Google: William R. Steiner. Who was this person? I discovered that he was a wonderful and decent man, hard working and devoted to his family, respected by his colleagues, fondly remembered by childhood friends -- the very essence of goodness. Reading about his life, and knowing what happened to him on that day 9/11/2001, epitomizes for me the tragedy of that day. With condolences to his family, Rosalyn Chatt
Rosalyn Chatt, Friend
Sep 11 2008 1:49PM
I've always been too sad to write anything on the MMC memorial before. Seven years after that Fateful day I again remember all of my former colleagues who were taken from us. Bill was my boss and mentor for many years and I owe him a debt of gratitude for his encouragement, guidance and friendship.
Rory Burke, Colleague
Sep 11 2008 9:42AM
I grew up with billy. He was a significant mentor for me in the tough playgrounds of Madison ave, School. He was so gentle and kind. I worked with his father in Kaldair Supermarket. Billy was a great baseball player. He ran the show in sports ans was an incredable model for all of us. Please if someone from the family or friends, including his brother George, contact me With love and admiration to the memory of such a fine boy and leader as example, Sincerely, Fred Gold
fred gold, Friend
Apr 15 2007 12:53PM
I was talking with a woman a few weeks ago that Bill dated back in High School when I asked her if she ever heard from him. She then told me that Bill died during the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center's. I felt so sad hearing that.We weren't close friends but we both played High School baseball. He was a great player and we were rivals through our school days. Matter of fact his brother George was also a player and we played together for awhile in Irvington. Thinking back to those good old days and how so many of us growing up in Newark hung out and enjoyed so many good times together....I only wish that Billy enjoyed his times there as much as I enjoyed being a small part of his life. I only wish we would have kept in touch.
JOHN VIVONA, Friend
Feb 7 2007 3:33PM
Bill, Those years working with you were fun, intellectually challenging and some of the best times in my career. It was great having you to mentor me, I enjoyed our travels together and it was always so much fun to watch you ‘put the cat among the pigeons’ at those meetings! Eventually the rest of the world will catch up to the vision you worked for. Missing you every day, Richard hose years working with you were fun, intelectually challenging
Richard May, Colleague
Sep 12 2006 10:52AM
On this 5th anniversary, we remember and commemerate. We lost a member of our family, a loved one that will never be forgotten. Although it has been 5 years, the pain is still sharp and the tears still flow easily. I remember him, honor him and continue to share my stories of him with my children so his memory will not be forgotten.
Heather (Niece to William Steiner), Family
Sep 11 2006 10:37AM
Russa, I live in Atlanta with my wife and I also have three children (currantly 13,12 and 9). I am also a middle child but currently at the age of 49. A former Paratooper in the US Army 1994-1997 (1st Battalion, (Airborne, 509th Infantry) a long time ago and Alum of LSU, I will never forget that day. My former unit went after the 'bad guys' and got quite a few. I wish and pray that we will find them all. Will Steiner We are Austrian who came over after Napoleon's Wars in that country. I think his name was Jacob Steiner and settled in Ohio. Maybe around 1800. Our thoughts are with you.
William J. (Will) Steiner, Friend
Mar 3 2006 3:37AM
I simply typed my name on a web search and found the above tribute. It is obvious this gentleman was a devoted husband and father that worked hard to maintain his family. He seem to represent everything that is good about America. We must never forget the efforts of people like these and never forget the senseless people that destroy the finer attributes of mankind.
Dr. William A. Steiner, Colleague
Aug 29 2003 9:55AM
For three years Bill was my friend, colleague and right arm. He will always be in my thoughts.
John Gropper, Colleague
Jan 17 2003 9:07PM
It isn't getting easier like I hoped it would. He was my brother-in-law for over 30 years. I miss him and think of him often. But the pain remains so strong because I still see how my sister hurts, his children hurt. And my beloved daughter Heather, who lost her own dad at 15, again has to deal with the loss of a close family member who meant so much to her.
Cheryl, Family
Dec 9 2002 7:07PM
I knew Mr. Steiner for a couple of years and always had the utmost respect for him. He was a great father to his 3 children and a great man overall. Unfortunately due to certain circumstances, I was unable to express my sincere condolences to the family. Mrs. Steiner, Jordan, Darren and Mer- please know that you will all be in my thoughts and prayers for as long as I am alive. Please know that as a direct result of 9-11 I have joined my local fire department so I can protect the lives of those in unfortunate situations. Every time I go into action, I think of 911 and wish I was there. Well, God Bless you all.
Lew, Colleague
Nov 20 2002 9:31AM
It is 9:00 am on September 11, 2002 - exactly one year and fifteen minutes after Mr. Steiner died. About an hour ago. I walked from my office in the Atlanta Federal Complex over to the CNN Center - partly because I wanted to be alone at 8:46, but mostly because I promised my wife Peg that I would get out of this building. She does worry about my safety and we are at a heightened state of alert. At CNN, I got a cup of coffee and a paper, then sat down in the atrium to watch the ceremony at Ground Zero on the monitors. Today's Atlanta paper has the names of all the victims of September 11 on the front page. I scanned down the alphabetical list and found a man whose name I share. I, too, am Bill Steiner. I never met the Bill Steiner who died tragically a year ago. My only knowledge of him comes from his tribute page. I write this to tell his family and friends that this member of the Georgia branch of the Steiner family now knows their Bill Steiner and that I miss him deeply. From their words, I learned that he was a kind, honorable, and decent man. I hope they know that their loss is shared be me and by all Americans. To Russa, Jordan, Darren, Meredith, and to all his friends - please know that I will never, ever forget your Bill Steiner.
Bill Steiner, Friend
Sep 12 2002 9:26AM
My sorrow to Bill's family. I worked with Bill in the 80's at Guy Carpenter. I didn't realize he loved cars so much! Please know he will always be remembered.
Ginny Lynch, Colleague
Sep 10 2002 11:17PM
I only came to know of Mr. Steiner through making a quilt block in his memory for the United In Memory Quilt, I can tell from the tributes to him that he was much loved. Heather, I lost your email address please contact me so I can send you a picture ofthe block as promised. God Bless all of your family. Anne-Marie Zerishnek
Anne-Marie Zerishnek, Friend
Jul 24 2002 12:42PM
My Uncle Billy was a generous,funnny, laid back kind of guy. He will be missed a great deal by all of us! I hope those of you that knew him will continue to keep his memory alive by sharing your stories.
Heather, Family
Apr 19 2002 10:29AM
I work in the Guy Carpenter Philadelphia office, and I hadn't worked with Bill in a number of years. When I initially met Bill about a decade ago, I found Bill quite affable, and I suspected immediately that most people found him easy to get along with. I was shocked to learn of his fate after 9/11. His good-natured demeanor is what I will miss most.
Charles Klaniecki, Colleague
Apr 17 2002 11:18AM