William 'Bill' O. Cunningham

Danville - William "Bill" Owen Cunningham passed away Sunday, September 24, 2023, in Danville at the age of 92 years. Bill was well known in the farming community of Vermilion County.

Visitation will be held from 4 PM to 7 PM on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61834. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, September 28, 2023, also at Sunset in Danville. Pastor Jim Boudouris will officiate. Burial will follow at Walnut Corner Cemetery.

Bill was born on August 6, 1931, in Danville. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis Cunningham; his second wife, Irene Cunningham; his parents, Scott and Beatrice Cunningham; and one sister, Barbara Jones.

He is survived by two children, Jill (James) Henrich of Little Rock, AR, and Michael (Kelly) Cunningham of Bismarck; a stepdaughter, Ann (Mike) Small of Champaign, IL: six Grandchildren, Megan Brown of Little Rock, AR, Josh (Alisa) Henrich of Little Rock, AR, Brooke (Brody) Tuggle of Savoy, IL, Jenna (John Ryan) Hardy of Bakersfield, CA, Will Small of Champaign, IL, and Wyatt Small of Champaign, IL; and two great-granddaughters.

Bill married Phyllis Lavender in 1956, calling it the best decision he had ever made. They enjoyed a happy marriage and family life, raising two children. Phyllis passed away in 1995 after a battle with cancer. He then made the next best decision of his life by marrying Irene Goodner in

1998. They, too, enjoyed a loving marriage until her death in December of 2022.

Bill attended Bismarck High School, graduating in 1949 as the class valedictorian. He entered the University of Illinois as a student that same year and graduated in 1953. Bill had great memories of being on the university meat judging and livestock judging teams. He was an active member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and enjoyed life-long friendships with his fellow farm boys.

Upon graduating from the University of Illinois, Bill worked for a short time at the stockyards in Chicago in their buyers training program.

In the fall of 1953, Bill got called to Sheppard Air Force Base in TX, for orientation in the Air Force. He attended aircraft control school in Florida at Eglin Air Force Base. From there he went to Germany as a 2nd lieutenant. He served there for a year and eight months, working as an aircraft controller. He had fond memories of touring Europe and especially of the German people. Before he returned home, he bought and shipped an Austin- Healey sports car to Illinois. He enjoyed that car but found it impractical on the gravel, country roads.

Bill married Phyllis when he returned from Germany and began his career as a farmer and livestock owner in earnest. He was a member of the Lions Club, served as a Republican precinct committeeman, and was past president of the Vermilion County Farm Bureau. Bill served for 17 years on the board of the First National Bank of Danville. He was a member of the Walnut Corner Church of Christ until its closing.

Bill was well traveled. He took his family to Europe and went on several trips there with friends as well, stopping often in Germany where he had so many fond memories. Bill was a lot of fun to be around; he enjoyed a beer and a game of cards or poker. He also enjoyed watching his beloved Fighting Illini.

Bill was well loved and loved well. He will be missed greatly.

Charitable donations may be made in honor of Bill to the Walnut Corner

Cemetery Association where he served as treasurer for many years.

Please join his family in sharing memories, photos, and video of his life through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Services Visitation Wednesday September 27, 2023 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il 61834 Funeral Service Thursday September 28, 2023 11:00 AM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il 61834