William J. Cunningham

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ William J. Cunningham, III, age 93, of Pinckneyville, IL passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 1:48 p.m. in Marshall Browning Hospital, DuQuoin, IL.

William was born on October 20, 1915 in Swanwick, IL, a son to William J. and Frieda M. (Habermann) Cunningham, II. He married Virginia McElroy and to this union two children were born. Virginia survives and resides in Orlando, Florida. He attended the Pinckneyville public schools and University of Illinois (Class of 1937). He had been engaged in insurance and real estate business in Pinckneyville since 1937. In 1941, he entered the United States Army as a 2nd Lt. and served 56 months with Cavalry, Tank Destroyers, Airborne, Adjutant General Corps., held several medals and decorations, and was honorably discharged as Major, A.G.D., in 1946. William was always intensely interested in the economic development of Southern Illinois and in Pinckneyville, he was elected City Commissioner in 1947, Mayor in 1951, re-elected Mayor 1955, 1959, and 1963. He then went on to be elected to the 74th, 75th, and 76th General Assemblies - House of Representatives. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Pinckneyville, IL, Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504, Pinckneyville Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Illinois Municipal League, and 32nd Degree Mason, as well as being active in many other social, civic and fraternal groups.

Survivors include his daughter: Barbara (John) Sharp of Orlando, FL, son: William J. (Rhonda) Cunningham, IV of Orlando, FL, five grandchildren: Dr. Jacki Bert of Orlando, FL, John Sharp, Jr. of Orlando, FL, Courtney Beckwith of Nashville, TN, Jayci McKinney of Orlando, FL, and Blake Cunningham of Nashville, TN, eight great-grandchildren, and his former wife: Virginia Cunningham of Orlando, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Viola Webster and Florence Ruff.

A memorial visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504, Pinckneyville, IL will honor his military service with a United States flag presentation at 1:00 p.m.

Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL is in charge of the arrangements.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.