William "Bill" Cunningham, Jr., 86, was called home on May 23, 2017. He was born March 6, 1931, in Mountain Grove, MO to William and Adelaide Cunningham.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Rosalyn, by both parents, and by his older sister Bessie.

Bill is survived by his son Eric and wife Janet; daughter Terry Sims; sister-in-law Sue Ferbrache; grandchildren Isaac and Erin Friend, Rachel and Amy Cunningham, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bill attended public schools in Mountain Grove, MO. He graduated from Senior High in 1949. He attended Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, where he graduated in 1954 with a B.S. degree in Education. It was at this time that he met his future wife, Rosalyn Ferbrache. Shortly after he served in the United States Army and received an Honorable Discharge in 1955. He also spent time teaching High School Art in Lebanon, MO and in Highland Park, IL. In 1960, Bill obtained an M.A. degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA. He was a member of the Missouri State Teacher's Association for many years, both as an active teacher and after retirement. He retired from public school teaching in 1990 with 29 years of teaching experience in Missouri and Illinois classrooms.

Bill was a gifted practicing artist in pottery, sculpture, jewelry, graphic arts and three-dimensional design. He also loved gardening and had an innate natural ability cultivating and growing all kinds of flowers and plants. He and his wife Rosalyn were the owners and operators of the Oasis Flower and Gift Shop on the north side of the Square and the Oasis Nursery and Garden Center in Mountain Grove, MO.

Bill accepted Christ as his Savior and was always very faithful in attending Sunday School and Church Services, Methodist First Youth Fellowship Meetings and Methodist Church Camps in summer for youth. He was a dedicated member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Mountain Grove, MO for many years. After retirement and moving to Springfield, MO, he and his wife were faithful members of King's Way United Methodist Church. There they completed the Disciple Bible Study classes and served on the Mission Committee. He looked forward to Sunday and being able to attend his favorite Sunday School class, Prime Time Seekers. He enjoyed Wednesday night dinners and then attending the Prayer Service in the Chapel. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ and his family very much. Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, May 26, 2017 in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow in Maple Park Cemetery at 3:00 pm. Please come join us in celebrating Bill's life. In memory of Bill, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.