Justice Bill Cunningham awarded an honorary doctorate at Murray State University commencement

MURRAY, Ky. – Retired Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham was awarded an honorary doctorate from Murray State University, receiving a Doctor of Laws as part of the fall 2022 commencement ceremony on Dec. 10 at the CFSB Center.  

“We were honored to confer an honorary doctorate to Justice Bill Cunningham as part of our fall 2022 commencement ceremony,” said Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson. “Justice Cunningham is one of a very few alumni at Murray State who has risen to one of the highest levels of the judiciary. He has been recognized as a distinguished alumnus of both Murray State and the University of Kentucky College of Law, and is a distinguished lecturer at Murray State, sharing his expertise and life experiences with our students. “

As part of his remarks, Cunningham emphasized the word ‘honor’ and its interpretations through virtues including truthfulness, kindness, loyalty, respect, humility and morality. 

“Let that word ‘honor’ be the guiding star in the grand firmament of your life,” Cunningham said in addressing the graduates. 

Cunningham is a native of Eddyville, Kentucky, in Lyon County. He graduated from Lyon County High School and then attended Murray State, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1962. After his time at Murray State, he attended the University of Kentucky College of Law, earning his Juris Doctor in 1969. After attaining his J.D., Cunningham enlisted in the United States Army and has served his country in Vietnam, Korea and Germany.

Upon his return from service, he served the court system in several capacities before entering his judicial career. He was the Eddyville City Attorney from 1974 to 1991 and the Public Defender for the Kentucky State Penitentiary from 1974 to 1976. Cunningham was the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 56th Judicial District from 1976 to 1988 and was voted the Outstanding Commonwealth Attorney of Kentucky by his peers during his tenure. Cunningham served as Hearing Officer for the Kentucky Board of Claims from 1981 to 1985 and as Trial Commissioner for Lyon County District Court from 1989 to 1992.

In 1991, Cunningham was elected Circuit Court Judge and served the 56th Judicial Circuit in western Kentucky. Holding his place on the bench for over 15 years, Cunningham presided over the counties of Caldwell, Livingston, Lyon and Trigg, where he served until being elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2007 and re-elected in 2014.  

After twelve years on the Kentucky Supreme Court, Justice Cunningham retired in February 2019. The Commonwealth of Kentucky commissioned his official portrait in 2019, where it currently hangs in the corridors of the second floor of the Capitol Building. He continues his service as a Visiting Professor at his Alma Mater, Murray State University in the Department of Political Science and Sociology. 

Cunningham received the Murray State University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016, the highest honor given by the association.

In addition to his career as a prosecutor and Justice, Cunningham is an accomplished author and historian. Over the years, Cunningham has authored six books on regional history. As a contributor to multiple newspapers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, his articles and online blog have helped inform the public about their legal system and their state’s esteemed history.

He and his wife, Paula, have five sons and eleven grandchildren. His son, Joe, is the former U.S. Representative from South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.