William Appel is an active member of the San Juan County community and has practiced law in Washington since 1967, primarily in municipal and commercial finance and banking. He has worked as a part-time pro bono civil prosecutor, assisted in drafting the Waldron Subarea Plan, and formed Waldron Island Community Services. He has also served as a member of the Business Outreach Subcommittee of the San Juan County Marine Resources Commission and was an elected member of the last two San Juan County charter review commissions.