William Norman Cunningham

Bill (Norman) was raised and attended school in Concrete, Washington. He graduated from Concrete High School in 1941, where as an undergraduate he earned his letter in football, was a member of the Dramatic Society and served as class officer. Bill later attended the Metropolitan Business College in Seattle, Washington. He was awarded a diploma of graduation in bookkeeping and accounting in November of 1942. Bill served his country as an aerial bombardier with the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He was with the 13th Airborne Division, 307th Bombardment Group. The group was known as the ‘Long Rangers’ due to their long missions over long open stretches of the Pacific.

After his military service, Bill attended the University of Washington and was a member of the fraternal order of Alpha Sigma Phi. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting in June of 1949. Bill was united in marriage to Pauline Whitsell on December 13, 1947. They raised four children in Seattle, Washington. Bill worked as an accountant at Lone Star Industries for many years before retiring in 1984.

After retiring, Bill and Pauline moved to their dream home in Woodinville. They enjoyed traveling, antiquing and spending time at their summer home on Hood Canal. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before Pauline passed. Bill was an avid gardener and grew a large vegetable garden in Woodinville. He would share the fruits of his labor with family and neighbors.

In his final years, Bill was a resident of the Brittany Park Retirement Home in Woodinville where he enjoyed life, love and laughter with his special lady, Joan. His brother-in-law is a resident there and they enjoyed watching football together. Besides gardening, Bill’s hobbies were photography and woodworking.

Bill is survived by a son, Steve Cunningham of Seattle, WA; daughters, Cheryl Quilliam of Bothell, WA and Kathy Rumberger of Woodinville, WA; grandchildren, Susan Quilliam and her husband Zach Scott of Lynnwood, WA; Sean Rumberger and his wife Diana of Thousand Oaks, CA; Tyler Rumberger and his wife Brooke of Seattle, WA; brother-in-law, Milton Whitsell of Woodinville, WA; also numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pauline in October of 1998; his son Dennis in June of 1999; his five brothers, George, Carl, Lawrence, Ralph and Bob; and two sisters, Alice and June.

A graveside service and interment with Military Honors will be at the Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue on Friday, March 30th, at 12:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at his daughter Kathy’s home in Woodinville on the following day, Saturday, March 31st, at 12:30 p.m.