William “Bill” Cunningham, 82, of Chilhowee, Missouri, passed away Monday, April 13, 2026, at his home surrounded by family.
He was born August 23, 1943, in Knob Noster, Mo., the son of John Melvin Cunningham and Verna Emma (Poese) Cunningham. On June 26, 1964, he married Rosalee Crabtree and they shared 62 years of marriage and were the parents of four children, Cynthia, Melinda, Tammy, and Leland.
After graduating from Chilhowee High School in 1962, Bill went to work for United Telephone. He was called to serve in the United States Army during Vietnam from 1968-1970. Following his military service, he continued working for telephone company as a lineman and repairman. During his 40 years with the company, the job he enjoyed most was working at the Central Missouri State University (now UCM), managing and repairing their extensive network of campus phones. He enjoyed farm life with Rosalee. He cut many chords of wood in his lifetime, a task he greatly enjoyed. A garden was planted every year, and he always made sure the fish in his lake were fed. He was devoted to his family and to the Leeton Christian Church, of which he was a 72-year member.
Survivors include his wife Rosalee; 3 children, Melinda Fitzgerel (Charlie), Higginsville, Mo., Tammy Warlen (Pat), Windsor, Mo., and Leland Cunningham (Renee), Clinton, Mo.; 6 grandchildren, Chelsea Starr (Jacob), Nicholas Riley, Trevor Warlen (Kelsy), Adam Warlen, Lexi Cunningham, and Ayden Cunningham; a brother, Jimmy Cunningham, Elkhart, Kansas; 2 sisters, LaVern Newman, Redwood City, California, and Lucille Thompson (Jim), Leeton, Mo.; and several nephews and nieces, great-nephews and nieces, and great-great-nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Cynthia, at birth; a grandson, Dustin, at birth; and a brother-in-law, John Newman.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Leeton Christian Church, Leeton, Mo., with Dr. Dan Lowry and Pastor Leon Moore officiating. Burial will be in the Mineral Creek Cemetery, Leeton. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Show-Me Christian Youth Home in care of the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor.
