William Smith Auctions
Our skilled auction specialists are ready to assist with appraisals and advice.
Bill grew up learning the antique business at his father Bill Sr.’s side. During his youth he worked auctions, loaded and unloaded trucks, set up tents and worked in every aspect of auction preparation. After high school, he went off to college to play football, with the hopes of pursuing a career in finance. After graduating from Central CT State University with a degree in finance, Bill was drawn to the family business and returned home where he worked alongside his father for many years. He worked behind the auction block, with no intention of ever being an auctioneer. One weekend, at an onsite auction in upstate NY, his Dad told him over breakfast he would be selling that day, as the second auctioneer was ill, and that began Bill’s ascension in auctioneering. After his father’s untimely passing in 2001, Bill took the helm of the business and ushered it into the next century. He expanded the facility, updated operations, modernized systems and grew Smith’s into a regional and nationally acclaimed Auction House. Bill’s passion for antiques is evident to all who know him. He looks forward to hunting for treasures every day. He is proud to carry on the family business that was started by his parents Bill and Merilyn in 1968.
Patsy RootPatsy graduated Skidmore College with honors in 2014 with a major in art history and a minor in studio art. Following an internship at the Tucson Museum of Art, in 2016 she completed her master’s degree in Fine and Decorative Art at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. She joined the Smith’s team in 2017 and is currently pursuing her American Society of Appraisers accreditation.
Shannon FreemanShannon is a Graduate Gemologist and has spent nearly 25 years in the jewelry industry with a professional focus as an appraiser and jewelry designer. She began her career in Denver, CO at a small store where she learned every aspect of running a small jewelry store, including bench jeweling. Along with the jewelry they sold fine mineral specimens, Asian antiques & Native American artifacts, thus beginning her knowledge and interest in these fascinating things as well. She enjoys studying and learning about the historical aspects of jewelry and design including researching the symbolism behind jewelry trends through the ages. She especially loves sharing in their memories and learning about the stories that go along with the pieces. Her interest in jewelry, she supposes, is genetic and has always been drawn to gemstones and minerals and has a growing collection of her own. Born Connecticut, after 16 years in Colorado, she returned to the Northeast at age 30, with her husband Zac, a lifelong Vermonter. Together, they built a timber frame home on a mountain top where she enjoys the natural surroundings of their beautiful state with Zac and their son, Asher. They love to bike, ski, cook and travel together.
Matt ZayatzMatt began his career at William Smith’s in March of 2021. A studio art major and astronomy minor from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, Matt began his art pursuit as the studio manager for Tariki Studios, a ceramic sculpture studio in Meriden, NH. From there, Matt took the position of adjunct professor of wheel-thrown ceramics at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Following that, Matt accepted a position at the Hood Museum of Art where he designed and installed major exhibitions for nearly two decades. With many classes from the Williamstown Art Conservation Center completed, and a master class of bronze casting from Long Island University, Matt’s expertise in fine art, conservation, and media is extensive and continuing. In his free time, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, Megan, Vivienne, and dog Tucker.
Leon RogersLeon Rogers has been working with William Smith’s since 2002, when at 14 years old he knocked on the door of the auction house asking if he could help around the gallery. With a lifelong interest in antiques and interior design, Leon has honed his craft and knowledge over the years, being involved in every aspect of the auction business. He is now an auctioneer and senior member of our staff. He continues to be captivated with the industry and enjoys traveling the country meeting with clients to unearth and bring their treasures to auction. Among Leon’s many strengths are his positive attitude, genial personality, sense of design and passion for learning. His specialties are in recognizing Chinese porcelains, Oriental rugs, paintings fine silver, contemporary and mid-century modern. Leon is a Plainfield, NH native, who cherishes the natural beauty of New England life.
David Alex DodgeBorn and raised in the Upper Valley, Alex attended Castleton University and graduated with a B.S. in Communications. He began his career in television production, working behind the scenes on local news broadcasts, live sporting events, and talk shows. Alex joined the William Smith’s team in June of 2021 as our photographer.
Lori VallariLori joined the team at William Smith’s in 2013, she had been appraising belongings for OPG when she met Bill, and the rest is history! Prior to moving to New Hampshire, this Jersey girl and devout Springsteen fan worked for Marcus Jewelers. Taking some time off and moving to New York State, Lori worked for Ford and GMC before opening an antique shop in Warwick, NY., in 2003 the decision was made to move to New Hampshire to be close to family. Lori enjoys traveling, cooking and best of all spending time with close friends and family.
Joe WarholdJoe Warhold, born and raised here in New England, is a Visual/Graphic designer who started his career interning at Curry College in Milton, MA where he graduated with a degree in Graphic design and Photography. While there, he worked closely with social media directors and event organizers to advertise school programs and complete photography projects as well as Interior Design work within the school. While attending classes, he also became proficient in coding and took a keen interest in user experience design and software engineering. Upon graduating Curry College with a degree in Graphic design and Photography, Joe accepted a position at William Smith’s in May of 2024. While much of his skill set is focused electronically, Joe also takes a keen interest in fine art as well. Some of his work has been exhibited at the AVA Art Gallery in Lebanon New Hampshire and at the Menino Arts Center in Hyde Park Massachusetts. Joe often spends his free time golfing and is an avid skier, both cross country and especially downhill. He also enjoys hiking, fishing, hockey, four wheeling, and driving down to Boston most weekends to see his friends from college.
Dan DeRoyDan started his career at William Smith’s in August of 2021. A Norwich, Vermont native and Hanover, New Hampshire High School graduate, Dan enjoys learning about antiques and historically significant artifacts while on his many journeys into our consigners’ homes. In his free time, Dan is an avid fisherman, talented chef, and lover of 1960s R&B music.
Troy WesselFirst started working for William Smith’s in 1981 as a freshman in high school and worked every summer of high school and college. Use to enjoy spending time with Bill and Merilyn in Florida while playing professional baseball as they both attended many games. Very close friend of Billy and the entire Smith family. Enjoys being back in the area and working for William Smith’s. Retired after 34 years at UPS. Currently living in Scarborough, Maine with his beautiful wife of 30 years Kimberley. Together they have three sons. Ben 28, Sam 27 and Nate 26.
Steve SwettA veteran in the art and antiques transportation business, Steve began at Hanover Transfer in 1963, a moving company founded by his relatives in the 1930s. He spent 40 years with the company. He specialized in art transport for Dartmouth College, working with the Hopkins Center to transport art and installations across the country. He worked with Dartmouth’s Artist in Residence and professor Varujan “Bugsy” Boghosian for 25 years, regularly transporting his art from Hanover to New York City for gallery shows and exhibits. At age 64, he retired from Hanover Transfer and came to work at William Smith’s, where he has imparted his vast knowledge of art handling to help strengthen and grow the company’s transportation division.