William J. Cunningham (Illinois politician)
William J. Cunningham | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office 1965–1971 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 20, 1915 Swanwick, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | May 21, 2009 (aged 93) Du Quoin, Illinois, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Virginia McElroy
(m. 1940; div. 1972) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1946[1] |
| Rank | Major[1] |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
William J. Cunningham III (October 20, 1915 – May 21, 2009)[1] was an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1965 to 1971.[2]
Background
Cunningham was born in Swanwick, Illinois, in 1915, and attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.[1] He served in the United States Army Adjutant General's Corps during World War II.[1]
Career
Cunningham was a businessman in Pinckneyville, Illinois.[1] He was elected the town's mayor in 1951, and was re-elected three times.[1] In 1964, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives for the first of three terms.[1]
Personal life and death
In 1940, Cunningham married Virginia McElroy; they had two children and divorced in 1972.[1][3] Cunningham lived in Pinckneyville and attended a local United Methodist Church.[1] He died at a hospital in Du Quoin, Illinois, on May 21, 2009, at the age of 93.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "William Cunningham III". The Southern Illinoisan. June 14, 2009. p. 3B. Retrieved March 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Illinois Blue Book (1965-1966). State of Illinois. 1967. p. 212.
- ^ "Virginia Irene Cunningham". Orlando Sentinel. July 3, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2026.