William Smith Missing Person Case

Mar 02, 2011

Dec 31, 2020

William

Smith

80

37

72 inches

73 inches

220 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

On a summer evening in June of 1983, 37-year-old William John Smith was seen for the last time. A resident of Fredonia, New York, a town in Chautauqua County, his disappearance has left a void in the lives of those who knew him. On June 23rd, at approximately 5:30 p.m., William was observed operating a large boat as he departed from Port Rowan, Ontario, Canada. The vessel, a white 1977 Bertram hardtop cruiser measuring 31 feet with a flying bridge, was seen heading towards the north channel, a route that would lead it into the vast expanse of Lake Erie. William was described as a white male with brown, balding hair and blue eyes, standing between 6'0" and 6'1" and weighing around 220 pounds. At the time he went missing, he was reportedly wearing white shorts with red stripes and a dark-colored shirt. He also wore glasses or prescription sunglasses and was believed to have a watch on. The boat itself was a distinctive vessel, a 1977 Bertram 31 Flybridge Cruiser, a model well-regarded for its durable deep-V hull design and popularity among offshore enthusiasts. These boats were known for their spacious cockpits, though the cabins were often considered spartan, and by 1983, regular production of this model had ceased. The specific boat William was operating had twin Mercruiser 330 hp engines and its hull VIN was 3121641B. Despite the sturdiness of the vessel, neither William nor his boat were ever located. The vastness of Lake Erie, known for its unpredictable weather and currents, holds the secrets of his final journey. The investigation into William's disappearance has been handled by the New York State Police in Fredonia. Over the years, his case has remained open, a lingering question in the community. The circumstances surrounding his departure from Port Rowan and his intended destination remain unclear, leaving investigators with few leads to follow. The lack of any wreckage or communication has only deepened the mystery. The case of William Smith serves as a somber reminder of the perils of the water and the enduring pain experienced by families of the missing. The overview of this case is one of a man who seemingly vanished into the waves, leaving behind a life and a community to wonder what became of him on that June day.

Jun 23, 1983

Fredonia

New York

Chautauqua County

9739

New York State Police- Fredonia

Fredonia

New York

Chautauqua County

14063

Gregory Holt

S/Investigator

10274 Route 60, New York

7166791549

State

Law Enforcement

MP69412

New York State Police- Fredonia

Brown

Blue

Blue

09/15/2026