Dr. William J. Cunningham was born December 18, 1929, the only child of Alonza Iverson Cunningham and Doris Johnston Cunningham. His mother died when William was age 6; his father later married Juliette Golden Cunningham. Grandparents were William T. and Lula McManious Johnston of Columbus, Georgia and William I. and Lula Jenkins Cunningham of Midland, Georgia. He attended Wynnton School and then Columbus High School. Graduated from Emory Business School. Was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and later also a member of the Official Military Division of Kappa Alpha Order.
Upon Graduating from Emory, entered Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. Graduated in 1954 with honors, having attained a perfect 4.0 grade average. Was class valedictorian and inducted into national Optometric Honor Society, Beta Sigma Kappa. Graduated with degrees of Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry. Commissioned a lieutenant in the United States Air Force Base and served three years as base optometry officer at Greenville Air Force Base, Greenville, Mississippi. Entered private practice of optometry in Columbus and remained in solo practice until entering into partnership of Drs. Maxwell, Smith and Cunningham.
A former member of St. Luke United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities, including finance chairman, chairman of fellowship hall building committee, chairman of the Official Board and as a Trustee. Upon moving to Midland, Georgia, became a third-generation member of Midland United Methodist Church, where his grandfather was one of the founders. He was very active in Church affairs and served as a trustee. Served on several boards, including Girls Club, Good Will, Columbus Museum, Arthritis Foundation, Columbus Country Club and Rotary Club. Was elected president of Columbus Rotary Club 1988-1999and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Was elected to Board of Directors of First National Bank of Columbus, Georgia, later to become First Union Bank and later elected to Board of Director and Trust Committee Chairman. In year 2000, was elected Director Emeritus. While in practice was a member of the American Optometric Society and Georgia Optometric Society.
After retiring from optometry, moved to Midland, Georgia where he developed a successful subdivision in Harris County known as Rocky Shoals Subdivision. He continued to participate actively in the subdivision and served as president and CFO of the developing company, Rocky Shoals Farms and as president of a family investment corporation, The Cunningham Company, formerly Cunningham Furniture Company, a company founded by his father.
Was married to Kim Stamps Cunningham of Smiths, Alabama, and had two children, a son, William J. Cunningham, Jr. and a daughter, Brooks Cunningham Dykes, both by a former marriage. He had three grandchildren, Eugene Thompson Dykes, III, William Brooks Dykes (Thea) and Nathan King Dykes (Mickey), and great grandchildren, Rowan William Dykes and Thompson “Sonny” Iver Dykes and Nora Brooks Dykes, and a stepson Fred E. (Trey) Wyrosdick, III.
He enjoyed work, boating, particularly sailing, and spending time at his vacation condominium at Panama City Beach, Florida.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, located at 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA, 31907. The service is scheduled for February 3, 2026, at 3:00 PM with a visitation for family and friends one hour prior.
