Obituary: William Southerland Cunningham, IV
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our son, William Southerland Cunningham IV, known to his friends and family as Wes and as Uncle Bub, to all his nieces and nephews. Wes passed away on October 8, 2026, at his home in Lynchburg, Virginia, at the age of 55.
Wes was born on June 6, 1971, in Kinston, North Carolina. He was a proud graduate of Mount Olive College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Business Management. He went on to earn Board Certification from North Carolina State University, the Health Council of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Department of Labor as a Manager of Environmental, Safety, and Health. Wes worked for the Cincinnati Insurance Companies as a Loss Control Field Director where he had the privilege of working with the best in the business.
If you knew Wes, you knew he loved his family fiercely and showed up for them when it counted, always with incredible generosity. Wes also loved to cook and was a connoisseur of good food, and could hold his own with any food critic out there. He was fortunate enough to travel all over and somehow knew the single best place to eat in all fifty states. No joke! The man had a gift for finding the hidden gems.
Wes was a devoted wrestling fan who attended more events than anyone could count, including cruising the Bahamas with Rick Flair, "The Nature Boy." He was a movie buff and a serious music lover, and over the years he could be found rocking out at concerts with Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, The Rolling Stones, and RUSH. His sense of humor was one of a kind, and his nieces and nephews will always remember the Scooby-Doo laugh he perfected just for them.
Wes is survived by his parents, William and Sherri Cunningham of Augusta, Georgia; and his sister: Amanda Cunningham (Gary) Dunn of Wilmington, North Carolina, and their children Tanner Allen Dunn, and Ashley Kendall and her children Grady Mac and Paxton McKoy Dunn ; brothers: Durwood McKenzie (Renata) Cunningham of Charleston, South Carolina and their children Brian and Leah; Slader McKoy Cunningham of Battle Creek Michigan; sister: Sabra Alexandria Cunningham of Augusta, Georgia and daughter Kenava Ann Cunningham.
Wes is also survived by his mother, Elaine Marker of Kinston, North Carolina; and sister: Michelle Marker (Nicholas) Smith of Kinston, North Carolina, and their children Marker Ava Smith and Sutton Elizabeth Smith.
Wes was preceded in death by his grandmother, Margueritte Howard Hales of LaGrange, North Carolina. She was better known to Wes as “Mama Duke”, and she was his partner in crime most of the time.
A man of quiet faith, Wes found comfort in the hope and grace of his Christian beliefs, and his family takes peace in knowing he is at rest. Those who loved him will carry his laughter, his generosity, and his endless list of great restaurants with them always.
Rest easy, Uncle Bub. The best seat at the Cunningham table will always be yours and we will carry out your final wishes to be spread in the bluest water in the Florida Keys. We love you and you are the best son, brother and uncle we could have ever asked for.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine Heart.”
Proverbs 3:5
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, Virginia is assisting the family
