BLOOMINGTON — William J. "Bill" Cunningham, 86, of Bloomington, formerly of Lexington and Hudson, passed away at 9:53 p.m. Thursday (March 7, 2019) at Sugar Creek Alzheimer's Special Care Center, Normal.
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Epiphany Catholic Church, Normal, with Monsignor Eric Powell officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal, with military rites accorded. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the church.
Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, Honor Flight Inc. or Epiphany Catholic Church.
Bill was born April 25, 1932, in Minonk, the son of Noble and Louise Ernestina Henrietta Funk Cunningham. He married Ruth Ann von Nordheim on May 25, 1957, in Minonk. She survives.
He is also survived by his children, Kevin (Kathleen) Cunningham, Blythewood, S.C.; David (Renee) Cunningham, Bloomington; Greg Cunningham, Normal; Katherine Cunningham Mueller, Bloomington; Lisa (Brian Roberts) Cunningham, Wheaton; Sara (John) Malm, Batavia; and Jennifer (Steve Snyder) Cunningham, Oak Park; 17 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three sisters-in-law, Ivanelle, Elaine and Donna Cunningham.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, Kenneth, Delmar, Duane and Gene Cunningham, and a sister, Marjorie Kettwich.
Bill graduated from Minonk Community High School in 1950; he attended Illinois State Normal University and Greer Technical Institute in Chicago. He was an END2 (engineer) in the U.S. Navy serving during the Korean War.
Bill owned and operated Bloomington Refrigeration for 30 years and worked for Illinois State University for 12 years, retiring in 2000. He was a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 99 in Bloomington.
Bill was a founding member of Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a fourth degree knight. He was also a member of VFW Post 454, Bloomington; American Legion Post 291, Lexington; the Elks Lodge; the Moose Lodge 745; and was an honorary member of Acacia Fraternity.
Bill met his wife when he was 16 and it was love at first sight. He could be counted on for kindness, honesty and entertaining jokes. He loved dancing, reading and apple pie. He was committed to his family and loved by all. There was no stranger to Bill.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the entire staff at Sugar Creek Alzheimer's Special Care Center for the comfort and tenderness shown toward our husband and father.
To express condolences, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com