Obituary for William Cunningham
WILLIAM EDGAR CUNNINGHAM
YOUNGSTOWN – Services will be Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the New Bethel Baptist Church for Mr. William Edgar Cunningham, 77, who went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Oct. 25, 2010, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center, surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Cunningham, affectionately called “Will” or “Bill,” was born May 29, 1933, in Lynchburg, Va., a son of Edgar and Bernice Lewis Cunningham.
He was a 1953 graduate of Dunbar High School, where he received many sports awards and was recognized in their Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding performances in football.
He had been employed with LTV Steel, retiring after 35 years of service. After retirement, he started his own business, “Bill’s Landscaping and Lawn Care,” which he enjoyed doing for 15 years. He enjoyed swimming and was an avid sports fan, who enjoyed watching the Cleveland Browns.
He was a 32nd Degree Mason with Bezaleel Consistory No. 15, a member of Rising Sun Lodge No. 90 F.& A.M. P. H. A., Past Worthy Patron of Rising Sun Chapter 82 O.E.S Past Potentate of Al-Asir Temple No. 210. He was a long-time member of the New Bethel Baptist Church, where he served on the Trustee and Usher Ministry, Men’s Fellowship and was a member of the Bible Study Ministry.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved children, William (Vicki) Cunningham of Houston, Christopher, Beatrice and Norma Cunningham, all of Youngstown and Sandra Cunningham of New York; 18 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Mitchell (Jackie) Cunningham of Brooklyn, N. Y. and Horace Cunningham of Washington, DC; two sisters, Geraldine Fields of Mt. Vernon, N. Y. and Betty (Winford) Davis of Lynchburg; a devoted friend, who was like a brother, Melvin Meadors; faithful cousins, Beverly Baraka and Gwen Lewis; along with his aunts, Joyce Lewis, Joeretha Lewis; and a host of family and friends.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Hattie Jean Cunningham; his second wife, Geneva L. Cunningham; a son, Alphonso Cunningham; a brother, Alphonso Cunningham; and two grandchildren, Christopher Cunningham and Gaylord Lamont Cunningham.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home and Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.
Memorial services will be held at 6:45 p.m. by the Masonic Order.