William H. (Bill) Cable, age 81, of Kirksville, MO, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at Twin Pines Adult Care Center, where he had been a resident for seven years.

The son of William Alfred and Hila Hall Cable, Bill was born on February 28, 1934, in Hannibal, Missouri. Following graduation from the Hannibal High School with the class of 1952, Bill attended Truman State University (TSU) for two years, where he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. He then transferred to the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Journalism and was graduated in 1956.

On August 7, 1960, Bill was united in marriage to Dianthe Truitt at the First United Methodist Church in Kirksville.

After graduation, Bill immediately started working for TSU, a professional relationship that lasted almost 40 years and was interrupted only by a two-year tour of duty in Korea, where he edited an award-winning company newspaper. From 1958 until 1972, Bill’s time was divided between directing the publication office and creating the first sports information office. In 1972, he was named the University’s first Sports Information Director, a position he held until his retirement in 1995.

Bill served on various committees of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), including the Academic All-American Committee for student-athletes, and served as a board member for three years. Numerous publications of his received CoSIDA awards and he was inducted into the CoSIDA National Hall of Fame in 1988.

Other professional honors and awards include: CoSIDA Warren Berg Award; the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Hall of Fame; TSU Sports Hall of Fame; and Outstanding Division II Sports Information Director, a designation of which he was most proud.

Bill was actively involved in serving his community, including: president of the Kirksville Jaycees and a director for the national organization; president, Kirksville Kiwanis, lieutenant governor, Missouri-Arkansas District Kiwanis; board member for over 30 years and past board chair of the Community Opportunities-Sheltered Workshop; Adair County United Way board member and 2002 drive co-chair; board member, Adair County Chapter-American Red Cross; member, Kirksville Regional Economic Development, Inc.; member, First United Methodist Church; former coach and Hall of Fame member, Kirksville Baseball/Softball Association; and AT Still University Still Spirit Award recipient.

Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He was known for his strong work ethic, high sense of responsibility, commitment to his community and church, and his sense of humor. Bill loved pets, particular the many cats and dogs that he and Dianthe cared for over many years. He enjoyed traveling, running, reading, and watching any St. Louis Cardinals baseball game or TSU athletic event.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Dianthe; daughter, Krista Llewellyn and husband, Lance of Kirksville; daughter Sara Cable of Chicago, IL; grandchildren Gabriella Knorr and Christopher Llewellyn; and several cousins.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 31, 2015 after 4:00 p.m with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO.

It was Bill's wish to be cremated and memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Kirksville, MO, with Pastor Richard Northcutt officiating. Music will be provided by Lynae McFarland, organist and soloist Twila Jones singing “Be Not Afraid” and "On Eagles Wings.” Interment will take place at a later date at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.

Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Bevell, Royce Cook, Carolyn Elgin, Curtis Fowler, James Harding, Russ Harrison, Karen Holcomb, Wayne Hurley, Lance Llewellyn, Robert Mason, Mandy Martin, Lanny Morley, Jack Magruder, Richard Mercer, Christina Morgenstern, JR Peek, Jennifer Sargentini, Jack Schrader, Brent Steacy, Kevin White, Jerry Wollmering, and the staff of Twin Pines Adult Care Center.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Bill Cable may be made to the Twin Pines Adult Care Center Blanket Warmer Fund, the First United Methodist Church (Kirksville), or the Adair County Humane Society. Memorials may be left at or mailed to the Travis-Noe Funeral Home, PO Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.