Bill was born on July 2, 1952 in Mineola, New York. He was the fourth of five children born to Julia and Jack McGovern. His siblings were Kathy, John, Marilyn and Patrick. Bill attended St. Joachim and Anne Grammar School in Brooklyn and then went on to the St. Pascal Baylon High School in St. Albans, Queens. After high school he attended Queensborough College before joining the U.S. Army. He served his country from 1972-1974 during the Vietnam era and received an Honorable Discharge for his service. In 1978 Bill joined the FDNY. His early years as a firefighter were spent in Engine 209, Ladder 102 in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. In 1990 he was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to Engine 258 in Queens; in 1993 he became a Captain and worked Ladder 115 in Queens. In 1998 Bill was promoted to a Battalion Chief and was assigned to Manhattan in 2000. He was working as the Battalion Chief of the 2nd Battalion on September 11, 2001. Bill was married to Mary and they had two children, John (born in 1979) and Katie (born in 1990). He was truly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was actively involved in his children's lives; from coaching basketball, soccer and baseball, attending dance and gymnastics and acting as class parent in school. His work schedule allowed him flexibility to be active with his children and he thoroughly enjoyed this privilege. Bill was also the family member who brought everyone together; whether it was organizing family get-together or entertaining, he took charge and valued having all of his family around. He was an active man who had many interests some of which were boating, reading, music and sports. He had many good friends and truly lit up the room when he entered. He is loved and tremendously missed by many.