William B. Cunningham, Jr.

WILLIAM BENJAMIN CUNNINGHAM was born on August 8, 1926, to the late William Benjamin Cunningham, Sr. and Mary (nee Brown) Cunningham, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His brother, Vernon Cunningham preceded him in death.

He departed this life on February 4, 2026 at Hospice of Cincinnati, Blue Ash, Ohio at the age of 99 years old.

He was united in holy wedlock to the love of his life, Jane Elizabeth Grant on December 9, 1956 by Reverend Edward Jones. To this union, they raised a fine son, Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Lloyd Cunningham, who preceded them in death on April 27, 2001 at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. His love of 69 years, Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Cunningham preceded him in death on November 10, 2025.

He was a baptized believer in 1937 at age 11, at the First Baptist Church of West College Hill (FBCWCH) and has remained an active member for 89 years. In 1992, he was ordained as a Deacon of FBCWCH and has remained faithful in his engagement, diligent in his duties and exemplary in his deportment in covenant relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He has served in many ministries at FBCWCH, including key Church Officer roles as a Trustee, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and over 30+ years as the Church Treasurer. He has been a thoughtful leader in the business of the Church and spiritual advisor to many throughout his life.

He is a 1944 graduate of the North College Hill High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on June 6, 1945 and served as a World War II Duty Soldier, Truck Driver and 747 Airplane and Engine Mechanic at the ‘2518th Armed Airforce Base Unit’, Enid Army Airfield, Enid, Oklahoma. He received an Honorable Discharge on November 26, 1946. He achieved decorated status and received the ‘World War II Victory Medal’ for his service. He was an active member of the Byron F. Hutchinson American Legion Post #670. His secular career after his military service was a U.S. Postal Ship[1]ping Clerk and dutifully carried the U.S. Mail daily by train from Cincinnati to Washington, D.C. He had a long and successful career with the U.S. Postal Service.

He was a stalwart pillar of the West College Hill Steele Subdivision Community residency for 99 years, marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind and spirit. He was a community activist in the West College Hill Civic Association, West College Hill Neighborhood Services and was a key Trustee in many notable projects, including the ‘Crutchfield Restoration Project’. He was well-known and well-respected throughout the neighborhood.

He was a Free & Accepted Mason and his Masonic membership began on January 10, 1949 and remained in active membership with Euclid #97 Lodge, Cincinnati, Ohio and served in many capacities, including Past Worshipful Master. He was recognized as the oldest/longest served membership in the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio until the time of his death. He also served with the Order of Eastern Stars #97, Cincinnati, Ohio.

He leaves to cherish him, in loving memory: grandson, Christopher Grant Cunningham; two sisters-in-law, Ethel Grant and Marlene Grant of Cincinnati, Ohio; two remaining maternal and paternal cousins, Mary Ivy Dickerson of Accokeek, Maryland and Lydia M. Alcorn of Lancaster, Kentucky; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins of the Grant/Eakins family, many brothers and sisters in-Christ and a multitude of friends. God be praised for the life of William Benjamin Cunningham!

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