Born on Oct. 24, 1916, in Red Bluff, Calif., Cunningham spent his adolescence in Red Bluff, and then served as a pilot for the U.S. Army in World War II. Once his duty was complete, Cunningham went to college, earning a bachelor's degree in art from San José State University and then a master's degree in creative art and administration from Stanford University.

Known as a painter, sculptor and stained-glass craftsman, Cunningham was also a respected teacher, administrator, and caring community member.

Moving with his wife, Beth, to Monte Sereno, where he designed and built the family home, Cunningham became a fine arts teacher at Los Gatos High School, where he stayed for 15 years. When Saratoga High School opened in 1960, Cunningham transferred to the new facility to begin an arts program. A year later, he moved on to the district level, becoming the adult education director and summer school principal for the Los Gatos Saratoga Joint Union High School District and serving there until his retirement in 1977.

Monte Sereno resident Jack Lucas, now a trustee for the West Valley and Mission College districts, was a rookie teacher at Los Gatos High School in 1957 when he first met Cunningham. "He was always very cordial to new teachers and very friendly," Lucas says. "He was a prince of a fellow. Very competent, bright, and never pushy."

Lucas came to know Cunningham even better throughout the years, as the two served on the district's "superintendent cabinet" and when Lucas successfully ran for mayor of Monte Sereno. Although Lucas recalls the oft-overlooked talents of Cunningham, including his superb dance skills and tennis savvy, he says his greatest forte was his artistic talent.

Art was a way of life for Cunningham, his wife says, and he had the ability to work in many styles and materials. He not only pursued it for himself, however, but actively sought to bring artistic opportunities to the community by co-founding the Los Gatos Art Association and maintaining memberships with the Saratoga Contemporary Artists, San Jose Museum of Art, and Gallery Saratoga, in addition to creating many programs for the recreation department.

"I remember his energy and dedication to the Los Gatos Art Museum," says former museum board member Jade Bradbury. "He was always there, on every level. He was one of those very reliable people and well-known as an excellent artist."

During his years with the high school district, former superintendent Jim Regan came to know Cunningham very well.

"He was really a peach of a guy. I didn't know anybody who didn't have positive comments about him. He was such a gentleman, just a guy who could relate to just about anybody I know," Regan says. "He was a good friend, really loyal. I could count on him for anything. It's almost easier to describe a guy who screws up rather than the guy who did everything by the numbers and did it right. Bill was just one of a kind. A tremendous artist, who was always trying to learn new skills and was never afraid to learn something new."

After retirement in 1977, Cunningham and his wife traveled around the world for nine months, and continued to take short trips until the past several years. Every place the couple visited, Cunningham would paint, never letting his passion wane.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Beth Cunningham, son and daughter-in-law Greg and Alexandra Cunningham of Reno, Nev., daughter and son-in-law Lorie and Dave Hoefler of Aptos, and two grandsons.

Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Los Gatos Art Museum, 4 Tait Ave., Los Gatos, 95030, or Gallery Saratoga, 14435 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, 95070.