WS
William Sheldon
2015
William C. Sheldon.
How He Died
Manner
Natural
Cause
Natural disease, unspecified
Mechanism
Aircraft
What Happened
Location: New York
Incident Date: Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Weapon: Aircraft; Passenger jet
Offender: 19 suicide attackers
Special Agent Bill Sheldon died as the result of cancer he developed as a direct result of participating in rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.
Agent Sheldon assisted with directing people away from the towers on the day of the attack. He was then exposed to toxic debris while assisting with the search and recovery efforts at Ground Zero in the weeks following the attack. He and two other members of his 5-person ATF team were eventually diagnosed with cancer that was determined to be a result of their exposure to the toxic debris.
His health continued to deteriorate until he passed away on March 2nd, 2015.
Special Agent Sheldon was a U.S. Army combat veteran and had served with ATF for 22 years.
Incident Date: Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Weapon: Aircraft; Passenger jet
Offender: 19 suicide attackers
Special Agent Bill Sheldon died as the result of cancer he developed as a direct result of participating in rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.
Agent Sheldon assisted with directing people away from the towers on the day of the attack. He was then exposed to toxic debris while assisting with the search and recovery efforts at Ground Zero in the weeks following the attack. He and two other members of his 5-person ATF team were eventually diagnosed with cancer that was determined to be a result of their exposure to the toxic debris.
His health continued to deteriorate until he passed away on March 2nd, 2015.
Special Agent Sheldon was a U.S. Army combat veteran and had served with ATF for 22 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two young children.
Service Record
Also Served
United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Special Agent
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnvpbba5qzcb8d0kz6sx
Record added
August 2, 2026
neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by
neuraweb.nw
Last updated
August 2, 2026
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
Be the first to honor William.
Leave a Tribute