Macon man identified as Columbia River boating accident victim in Washington

A 52-year-old man visiting his cousin in Richland died after being pulled from the Columbia River.

William “Billy” V. Orndorff was one of two men in a boat in Finley east of Tri-Cities the boat started taking on water, Benton County Coroner Bill Leach told the Tri-City Herald.

His last listed address was in Macon, Ga., according to public records.

Relatives told investigators that he was visiting his cousin, according to reports given to Leach.

The death is being investigated as a possible drowning, and it’s being determined whether an autopsy is necessary to confirm that.

Orndorff and his cousin Michael Miller were on the boat when they lost their anchor and began to drift in the windy weather Saturday.

The wind and waves caused it to start taking on water and eventually capsize, according to a release from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Miller was able to get his life jacket on before ending up in the water. He called 911 about 4 p.m. to report that his boat was sinking and he wasn’t able to see his cousin in the water.

It appeared he was calling from east of the Lechelt Road Boat Launch

Pasco Fire Department along with Columbia Basin Dive Rescue and Benton County Fire District 1 were called to the scene. The Pasco Fire Department boat was the first to arrive and found both men in the water.

Orndorff, who wasn’t wearing a life jacket, wasn’t responding and medical staff started CPR.

He had been in the water for about an hour, according to reports.

Benton County Fire District 1 medics took him to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland about 5:25 p.m., according to reports to the Benton County Coroner’s Office.

Medical staff tried to save the man’s life for several hours before he was pronounced dead about 8 p.m.