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William Watson Missing Person Case

Last seen in Pacifica, California on May 5, 1982

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Victim Details

Aug 24, 2020

Dec 24, 2020

William

Watson

116

72

70 inches

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

May 5, 1982

Pacifica

California

San Mateo County

94044

No

90537

Pacifica Police Department

Pacifica

California

San Mateo County

94044

Duane Wachtelborn

Detective Sergeant

2075 Coast Highway, California

6507387314

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.cityofpacifica.org/depts/police/

2820045

Pacifica Police Department

na

Gray or Partially Gray

Blue

Blue

Oct 10, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP72926) and 2 other sources
William Watson, aged 72, was last seen on May 5, 1982, in Pacifica, California. He had been showing signs of confusion and forgetfulness following a major surgery shortly before his disappearance. On the day he vanished, he was driving a brown 1972 Datsun B210 with California license plate 488TNP. His vehicle was later found abandoned in Santa Clara County, but there were no further clues as to his whereabouts.

At the time of his disappearance, Watson stood 5'10" tall, weighed approximately 150 pounds, and had gray hair and blue eyes. His case has remained unsolved, with little additional information coming to light over the years. Authorities continue to seek any information that could help resolve the mystery of his disappearance.
Last Seen: May 5, 1982

Links to Additional Sources (2)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP72926
  • Billy Watson Dead: Child Actor in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington ...

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    85%Strong
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5898 • Found Dec 18, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 50–75 vs 72 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%12 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 19 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%165 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    84%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5893 • Found Nov 23, 1982
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 89%Est. 60–70 vs 72
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%12 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 47%200 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5913 • Found Feb 13, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 89%Est. 60–70 vs 72 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%12 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
    Weight 87%175 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5899 • Found Dec 24, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 55–75 vs 72 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%12 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 20 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%145 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5945 • Found Apr 29, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 55–75 vs 72 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%12 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 80%180 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP5909 • Found Oct 19, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 55–80 vs 72 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%12 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 65%110 lb vs 150 lb
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Sacramento, California
    UP12971 • Found Dec 20, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 72 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 79%85 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 20 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%148 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    79%Possible
    John Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP146034
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP146034 • Found Jan 22, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 68–82 vs 72 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 32 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%83–150 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    78%Possible
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5944 • Found Mar 30, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 60–80 vs 72 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%12 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%155 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    78%Possible
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5912 • Found Feb 4, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 72 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%12 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 52%5'6" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%144 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    William Watson was 72 when he was last seen on May 5, 1982, in Pacifica, California. He had recently... ...Read More
    01/11/2023

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