Former Cape Charles Mayor Smitty Dize passes away

By Wayne Creed from the Cape Charles Mirror

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The Cape Charles community mourns the passing of former Mayor William “Smitty” Dize, a dedicated public servant and prominent figure in the town’s leadership and business community. The cause of death has not been officially stated.

Smitty Dize’s career was marked by a steadfast commitment to Cape Charles, both as a public servant and through his roles in the private sector. He served as Mayor of Cape Charles from July 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022, a tenure defined by his dedication to the town’s development and the well-being of its residents.

His professional journey included a variety of leadership roles:

• General Manager at Sun Outdoors Chesapeake Bay
• General Manager at Oasis Experiences
• Manager at The Oyster Farm Marina & Vacation Rentals
• Harbor Master at Town of Cape Charles

Throughout his career, Dize’s leadership extended beyond his professional roles. As a manager and harbor master, he worked tirelessly to enhance Cape Charles as a destination for both locals and visitors. He is responsible for creating beloved events such as the Cape Charles Clam Slam and CC Shuck and Suck. His legacy continues to live on with future boat docking and seafood events here in Cape Charles.

An important event that many may have forgotten–Smitty cast the deciding vote in allowing for the expansion of Coastal Concrete. Even as the plant was under a vicious attack from “local” citizen groups, Mr. Dize understood the need for a balanced economy and the long-term importance of allowing one of the County’s critical businesses to be able to expand its horizons and diversify the kind of work and jobs it can bring to Northampton citizens.

The Cape Charles community remembers Smitty Dize as a dedicated leader and advocate for the town he loved. His contributions will have a lasting impact, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.