William "Bill" Seaborn Funderburk

William “Bill” Seaborn Funderburk, age 91, of Monroe, Louisiana, went home to his Lord and Savior on Monday, October 27th, 2025, passing away peacefully. He was born to Katie Lee Howell and Aaron J. Funderburk on October 11, 1934, in Winnsboro, Louisiana, the 5th of 5 children.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Katie and Aaron; one brother Aaron J. Funderburk Jr.; three sisters, Janice F. Johnson, Marjorie F. McKeithen, and Margaret F. McDonald‍; two sons, William Mark Funderburk and Scott Alan Funderburk; and his wife of 70 years Wilma Katherine Tracy Funderburk.

Bill is survived by one son, Michael Stephen Funderburk (Kim) of Perryville, Missouri; two daughters, Kathryn Dawn Funderburk Milstead (Ricky) of Calhoun, Louisiana and Tracy Ann Funderburk of Georgetown, Texas; two daughters-in-law, Cindy Dustin Funderburk of Logan, Utah and Melonie Peace Funderburk of Georgetown, Texas; special “son and daughter-in-law” Aaron Johnson (Cindy) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; twelve grandchildren, Stephen, Brian, Nate, Jeremi, Ryan, Coby, Holly Ann, Laura, Brian, Allen, Ashley, and Jacob; and numerous great grand-children, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends who will deeply miss him.

Born into the great depression, Bill learned at an early age that hard work, self-sustainment, and a “no-excuses” attitude could open a lot of doors and keep you going. Moving a lot during his early years, he watched and learned as his mother and older sisters ran boarding houses, served their country in the airplane plants during World War II, and worked at numerous other odd jobs, to ensure they always had what they needed. Bill’s first paying job was as a milkman, delivering fresh milk in glass bottles to the doorsteps of many of Monroe’s homes, earning $10 per week.

Deep faith was instilled in Bill from an early age by his mother. That faith became a firm foundation for the rest of his life, leading to his profession of faith and baptism at age 12, to years of service in youth and college groups, and eventually to teaching and lay leadership positions in every church he was blessed to attend throughout the years.

After graduating from Ouachita Parish High School in the early 1950’s, Bill enrolled at Texas Christian University (TCU) to begin studying for the ministry, but eventually changed his trajectory to mathematics. It was there that he met the love of his life Wilma and they were married on December 28, 1954. Shortly after marrying, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving proudly as a Medical Corpsman attached to a Marine Unit in Okinawa during the end of the Korean Conflict. He then returned state-side and began his career in data processing, starting as a computer programmer for John Hopkins University in the Applied Physics Lab, where he eventually worked his way into management of the programming group.

Together, he and Wilma raised 5 children, and always made time for family, being ever-present as coach, mentor, teacher, leader, and chaperone for all of his children’s activities, encouraging them to be their best at whatever they tried.

Bill loved sports of all kinds, but golf became his personal joy, always feeling most at home on the greens and fairways of any available course. He proudly served the Men’s Golf Association (MGA) at Frenchmen’s Bend Country Club for several years where he built lifelong friends and memories.

Bill lived and loved generously and found his greatest contentment in being with friends and family. He was always ready with a joke, a pun, a funny story, and never failed to jump in on harmless practical jokes. His large laugh and generous smile will be remembered by many and will stay with us always.

A time of visitation and life celebration for family and friends will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M., at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1901 Lexington Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana.

Inurnment will follow at the New Winnsboro City Cemetery in Winnsboro, Louisiana with a grave side service for family and friends on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 2:00 P.M.

‍The family wishes to express special thanks to the membership of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, the staff at St. Joseph’ Assisted Living, and the team of professionals at St. Francis Hospital, for all the love, care, and assistance you provided these last few months and days, it was a precious support system that sustained us. Thus, as we say our goodbye, “In heaven too, you will have my hand (Robert Sexton)”.