Sault Ste. Marie in Algoma District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

William Henry “Bill” Orazietti

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2024

1. William Henry “Bill” Orazietti Marker

Inscription.
Billy “O” was a well known citizen, musher and legend in this area. Over the years he entered many dog sled races, including the 1992 Alaskan Iditarod, not to win, but to compete for himself and his dogs. Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, October 13, 1943, Bill met his untimely death February 19, 1994, doing what he loved best. Bill went through the ice in Little Bay De Noe in Escanaba, Michigan, attempting to save his 9 beloved dogs. He managed to save 2 before he succumbed to the icy waters of Lake Michigan.

Dedication
September, 1997

Erected 1997.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Disasters • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is February 19, 1994.

Location. 46° 30.609′ N, 84° 20.339′ W. Marker is in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in Algoma District. It is on Saint Mary's River Drive 0.3 kilometers west of Bay Street, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located along the St. Marys River Waterfront Hub Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 208 Saint Mary's River Drive, Sault Ste Marie ON P6A 5V4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma Area

and in Northern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

on Lake Superior’s North Shore,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Spirits Rising (a few steps from this marker); Edison Sault Electric Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Anna Jameson (within shouting distance of this marker); Roberta Bondar Park (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); The St. Marys River / La rivière Sainte-Marie (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Passenger and Packet Freighters on the Upper Great Lakes (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Dr. Roberta Bondar (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Algoma Central Corporation (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sault Ste. Marie.

More about this marker.

William Henry “Bill” Orazietti Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2024

2. William Henry “Bill” Orazietti Sculpture

The marker is mounted on the pedestal at the bottom right. St. Mary’s River Waterfront is in the background.

The marker incorrectly lists the accident site as "Little Bay De Noe" in Escanaba. It should read "Little Bay De Noc".

Also see . . .
1. Statue of Drowned Dog Musher (RoadsideAmerica.com).

Excerpt: Orazietti was once “Mr. Canada” as a bodybuilder, as well as the city's Maytag repairman. He was also a long-time dog musher. At age 50, during a race on frozen Lake Michigan, Billy O became disoriented, went off-course, and his nine sled dogs fell through some thin ice. Billy O went into the water after his dogs. He saved two. The other seven, and Billy O, drowned. In honor of Billy O, the race organizers retired his bib number. Three years later, Sault Ste. Marie erected a bronze statue of Billy O next to its waterfront. Billy O wears his musher clothes and is flanked by two sled dogs, which we will assume are the ones that he gave his life to save.

(Submitted on May 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Billy O: A tale of tragedy and perseverance (Sootoday.com).

Excerpt: In 1994, a race in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula led to a horrible accident — one of the worst dog sled racing accidents
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in the Upper Peninsula’s 200-year history. Orazietti, an experienced and well-liked musher, became disoriented on the ice over Little Bay de Noc. After straying off course, Orazietti’s dogs ran off the ice into open water. He managed to free two of his nine dogs from their harnesses, but ultimately the cold water took the lives of Billy and seven of his dogs.
According to an Associated Press article written on February 20, 1994, “Orazietti’s body was found in 10 feet of water in Little Bay De Noc on Michigan's Upper Peninsula,” said Thomas Guy, chief judge of the Upper Peninsula 200 Sled Dog Championship. “A resident had reported hearing cries for help. Orazietti was about four miles off the marked course,” Guy said.

(Submitted on May 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Little Bay de Noc (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: The cities of Escanaba and Gladstone are on the west side of the bay and the Stonington Peninsula is on the east side. The bay's name comes from the Noquet (or Noc) Native American people (thought to have been related to the Menominee of the Algonquian language group), who once lived along the shores.

(Submitted on May 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 291 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.