For 45 years as educator, researcher, public servant and global participant, William (Bill) Cable has been immersed in Samoan society and directly influenced Samoa's evolution toward self-sufficient agricultural practices and integration into the modern global economic community. His participation at the regional and international level assisted independent South Pacific island nations to manage and develop their native agricultural and marine resources. Bill's Sidney-born beliefs in a comprehensive education, continued spiritual growth and service to community served him well as he served the people of Samoa.
Bill graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1967 receiving a BS in Biology with follow-on education at the University of Hawaii completing his MS in Botanical Sciences in1973. Bill became a United States Peace Corp Volunteer in 1967 and accepted a 3-year commitment to Western Samoa (now Samoa), a former island protectorate of New Zealand. There, Bill lectured at the South Pacific Regional College of Tropical Agriculture in physics with math, and agricultural chemistry. From mid-1986 to mid-1988, Bill became the atoll development officer for Fakaofo Atoll under the United Nations Development Project. He coordinated project inputs in the fields of agriculture, marine resource development and water supply renewable energy
Bill worked in the public service sector of the Government of Samoa at the Ministerial level as Registrar of Pesticides (1992-2002). He served as project coordinator for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE). The MNRE participated in a pilot disposal program for POPs and other intractable pesticides. Bill, representing Samoa, presented those results at the Stockholm Convention 1st Conference of Parties.
Bill has consulted on projects throughout his career including Women in Business Development Inc. (WIBDI), an organization finding opportunities for vulnerable people in Samoa and around the Pacific. As an expert on sustainable yam varieties resilient to natural disasters, Bill helped WIBDI introduce these crops to rural families. Additionally, he participated in the WIBDI project to produce commercially exportable beach mahogany oil ('fetau' oil), a native topical medicinal ointment. The Executive Director said of Bill, "It is the work of people like Bill that has enabled us to reach this level in our projects and enable vulnerable families to earn a sustainable income."
Bill was a founding member of the Cancer Association of Western Samoa and is a member of the Voluntary Emergency Response Team, and The Peace Chapel Christian Fellowship. Bill and his wife Letti continue to live in Samoa.