^^^^^^^^^
William Peter Blaich of Sunset Beach, North Carolina, passed away on June 5, 2026, in Iron Station, NC, surrounded by family and friends after a long battle with World Trade Center cancer.
A Vietnam Veteran and proud United States Army soldier, William retired as a full Colonel, with deployments including Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm.
He began his career with the Fire Department of New York in 1969, serving at Engine 277 during the war years. In 1980, as a newly assigned Lieutenant with Ladder 123, he received the Uniformed Fire Officers Association Medal of Valor for rescuing two infant children from a Brooklyn fire.
He then served as Captain of Engine 9 in Chinatown, responding with E9 to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
He later served as the Battalion Commander of the 1st Battalion in Lower Manhattan. He again responded to the World Trade Center attacks in September 2001, where he spent countless hours and days. His sacrifice saved many lives, even though it led to terminal illness, and he received numerous citations and awards throughout his career for his actions that day and beyond. In honor of his sacrifice, he will receive a line-of-duty funeral with full honors.
Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, William later retired to Sunset Beach, North Carolina. He was known for being a conversationalist with everyone he met and for being active in his retirement with the Carolina Retirees of the Fire Department of New York. Above all, his greatest love was family, friends, and brother firefighters.
William was the son of Charles and Rosemary, and a brother to Charlie, Mary, Barbara, and Jimmy. He was the devoted husband to the love of his life, Dorothy Ellen Blaich. He was a loving father to Peter, Christopher, Matthew, and Ellen, and a proud grandfather to 11 grandchildren, with a great-grandchild soon to arrive.
His line-of-duty funeral services will be held on June 13, 2026, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, located at 537 NC-16, Denver, North Carolina 28037. Viewing will be on June 13, 2026, from 12 PM to 1:30 PM, followed immediately by a funeral mass. For additional information, go to Good Samaritan Funeral Home at the web address William Peter Blaich of Sunset Beach, North Carolina, passed away on June 5, 2026, in Iron Station, NC, surrounded by family and friends after a long battle with World Trade Center cancer.
A Vietnam Veteran and proud United States Army soldier, William retired as a full Colonel, with deployments including Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm.
He began his career with the Fire Department of New York in 1969, serving at Engine 277 during the war years. In 1980, as a newly assigned Lieutenant with Ladder 123, he received the Uniformed Fire Officers Association Medal of Valor for rescuing two infant children from a Brooklyn fire.
He then served as Captain of Engine 9 in Chinatown, responding with E9 to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
He later served as the Battalion Commander of the 1st Battalion in Lower Manhattan. He again responded to the World Trade Center attacks in September 2001, where he spent countless hours and days. His sacrifice saved many lives, even though it led to terminal illness, and he received numerous citations and awards throughout his career for his actions that day and beyond. In honor of his sacrifice, he will receive a line-of-duty funeral with full honors.
Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, William later retired to Sunset Beach, North Carolina. He was known for being a conversationalist with everyone he met and for being active in his retirement with the Carolina Retirees of the Fire Department of New York. Above all, his greatest love was family, friends, and brother firefighters.
William was the son of Charles and Rosemary, and a brother to Charlie, Mary, Barbara, and Jimmy. He was the devoted husband to the love of his life, Dorothy Ellen Blaich. He was a loving father to Peter, Christopher, Matthew, and Ellen, and a proud grandfather to 11 grandchildren, with a great-grandchild soon to arrive.
His viewing and line-of-duty funeral services will be held on June 13, 2026, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, located at 537 NC-16, Denver, North Carolina 28037. Viewing will be on June 13, 2026, from 12 PM to 1:30 PM, followed immediately by a funeral mass. For additional information, go to Good Samaritan Funeral Home at the web address
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in his name to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation, Disabled American Veterans, and the US ASPCA. In place of, please consider a donation in his name to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation, Disabled American Veterans, and the US ASPCA.
