Moefaʻauō William “Bill” Emmsley Jr.

"Moefaʻauō William “Bill” Emmsley Jr., 69, of Leone, American Sāmoa, departed this world on April 2, 2026, in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. He was born in Utulei, American Sāmoa, on July 16, 1956, to his late parents Fofogafetalai Fiu Uō Emmsley, of Leone, and his father, William Theodore Emmsley Sr., of Huelo, Maui, Hawaiʻi.

Moefaʻauō was a dedicated son, husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He devoted his life to service as a proud U.S. Navy veteran, an advocate, and a servant-leader within the Sāmoan community in Hawaiʻi and in the government of American Sāmoa for more than thirty years. Though he often charted his own course, he was deeply committed to serving others, living by the motto: “If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"

Moefaʻauō is lovingly remembered and survived by his wife, Komiti Jan Emmsley, their daughter Fuārosa Seruia Sālema Emmsley; his six children with his former wife, Luana Tagomailelagi-Seʻei: Ian Joseph Emmsley (Loleini Tammy Tonga Emmsley), Sean Godfrey Emmsley, Griselda Faleomāvaega Emmsley, Daisy Fofogafetalai Gaʻopoʻa (Vini Mātaio Gaʻopoʻa), Gwendolyn Kamakaokupunanaūlāokālani Emmsley-Peko (Taʻauta Tāfeamāliʻi Peko), and William Theodore Emmsley III; his five grandchildren: Indira Fofogafetalai Lemoelefili Emmsley, Dayvin Fiailoa Tamasaʻilau Gaʻopoʻa, DeSean William Theodore Gaʻopoʻa, Damian Talofasāmoa Gaʻopoʻa, and Lily Heʻeākamakaniapaʻapaʻa Emmsley; his brothers, Edward Paul Emmsley and Tume Vaitafe; his sisters, Siolo Maluia and Rebecca Fofogafetalai Emmsley Schuster; his extended family; and all those with whom he shared purpose, connection, and love.