William Peyton Cunningham, III

William Peyton Cunningham III was born in Natchitoches, LA on January 9, 1961 to Judge William Peyton Cunningham Jr. and Cissy Breazeale Cunningham. He passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2023 following a year and a half long illness with family by his side.

Peyton grew up in Natchitoches, LA along with his three siblings Alicia Cunningham, Dru Cunningham, and Catherine Cunningham Faucheaux. Peyton attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1983. He then attended Louisiana State University School of Dentistry where he received a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1987. His residency was completed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received a Masters of Science in Prosthodontics in 1989. In the same year he established his private practice in Shreveport, LA where he helped his patients receive the highest quality of dental care for 36 years. During his professional career he was a member of the American College of Prosthodontics, American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, Louisiana Dental Association, and LSU School of Dentistry Committee of 100.

Peyton was an avid lover of outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and Cane River living. He was a life long pilot looking to share his passion with anyone willing to take off. He was a multi engine commercial pilot who shined brightest when he was in his favorite places with his favorite people. Peyton was involved in numerous organizations and held memberships such as Quiet Birdmen, Ducks Unlimited Lifetime Member and the Coastal Conservation Association. He was a founding member of Crew of Gemini 1989. He also enjoyed early mornings with the Walter P. Ledet Coffee Club. He is preceded in death by his parents Cissy Breazeale Cunningham, Judge William Peyton Cunningham, and Markay Cunningham.

Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter Alexandra Marie Cunningham and his son Michael Peyton Cunningham; sister Alicia Cunningham and husband Doug Rainwater, brother Drury B. Cunningham and wife Tracy Rome Cunningham, sister Catherine Cunningham Faucheaux and husband Ben Faucheaux; his nieces and nephews Camille Cunningham, William Dru Cunningham, Anna Grace Cunningham, Joseph Faucheaux and wife Catherine Burke Faucheaux, and Peyton Lise Faucheaux; Partner Robin Levy.

On Tuesday, March 12, 2024 a memorial visitation will be held 9am-11:15am at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home and at 12pm a Funeral Mass will be held at The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Reception immediately following. A private burial will follow at a later date.