A North Bryan County man was found floating in the Canoochee River off of Public Landing Road west of Pembroke Nov. 2, according to a Bryan County Sheriff’s Office report.

James H. “Billy” Boatright, 81, was found at the site around 9:35 a.m., the report states. He was discovered after people spotted an unoccupied boat floating in the river off of Highway 280.

Boatright’s Chevy Avalanche was found on the boat ramp still running with an empty boat trailer attached to it. His body had been recovered by the Pembroke Fire Department when deputies arrived on scene.

The man’s family told deputies that he had heart surgery two years ago and suffered from high blood pressure, diabetes and balance problems, the report stated.

Boatright is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joy Boatright, along with three sons and their wives, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Services were held Friday at Flanders Morrison Funeral Home. He was retired and had previously worked for the Bryan County Department of Public Works and Pembroke Advanced Communications.