Former Sikeston FBI agent continues tradition of step challenge to honor 9/11 victims on 23rd anniversary

SIKESTON — Former FBI agent Marty Williams of Sikeston climbed the stairs at Montgomery Bank in Sikeston Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, on the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks as a way to honor first responders and all who lost their lives.

Williams, who has participated in this remembrance step challenge every year since the attacks, started his climb on Wednesday at 7:46 am. (8:46 am EST) to correspond with American Airlines Flight 11 crashing into the World Trade Center North Tower. Williams was one of the first responders to the Twin Towers site following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks which killed 2,977 people.

Since that time, Williams said many first responders have suffered various illnesses from the effects of the toxic debris.

Marty Williams of Sikeston reaches the top of the stairs as part of the 9/11 step challenge Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Montgomery Bank in Sikeston. Williams is accepting donations for the American Cancer Society. Williams was one of the first responders to the Twin Towers site following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks which killed 2,977 people. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Marty Williams of Sikeston reaches the top of the stairs as part of the 9/11 step challenge Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Montgomery Bank in Sikeston. Williams is accepting donations for the American Cancer Society. Williams was one of the first responders to the Twin Towers site following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks which killed 2,977 people. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

“Sadly, the number of deaths related to the exposure have surpassed the deaths which occurred on 9/11,” he said.

In honor of the first responders and those who lost their lives, Williams on Wednesday initially planned to climb the bank’s five floors up and down until reaching the equivalent of 110 floors (2,071 steps), which is the same number of floors of each of the World Trade Centers. However, during his climb, Williams decided to walk 220 floors for both towers.

“I’m doing this to honor my former co-workers who died on 9/11 and those that have succumbed to cancer, related to their exposure on 9/11. In doing so, I’ll be raising money on behalf of the American Cancer Society,” Williams said.

Marty Williams of Sikeston rounds a flight of stairs as part of the 9/11 step challenge Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Montgomery Bank in Sikeston. Williams is accepting donations for the American Cancer Society. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Marty Williams of Sikeston rounds a flight of stairs as part of the 9/11 step challenge Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Montgomery Bank in Sikeston. Williams is accepting donations for the American Cancer Society. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

Several individuals donated $.10 for every floor climbed ($11 total), and Montgomery Bank agreed to match the first $500 raised, according to Williams. Those who would like to donate can contact Williams and his wife, Kelly Williams, via Facebook.