- Date Of Birth: October 11, 1921
- Date Of Death: April 11, 2011
- State: Arizona
William H. Cummings, a retired Flagstaff principal who was active in numerous community groups, died April 11, 2011, in Flagstaff with his family at his side. He was 89.
He was born Oct. 14, 1921, to Eugene and Daisy Cook Cummings in Salt Lake City. He graduated from Holbrook High School in 1941, then enlisted in the Army and served in the Pacific Theater with the 40th Infantry Division during World War II.
He graduated from Arizona State College (now NAU) in 1949 and later earned a graduate degree from NAU. He went on to become a teacher and administrator with the Flagstaff Unified School District. During his 33-year career, he served as principal of Emerson School and Marshall and Christensen elementary schools.
Mr. Cummings served on the committee that helped to train NAU education majors to teach junior high science and math, and he served on the committee that wrote the first statewide science teaching guide. He served on the state textbook selection committee and administered FUSD’s testing program.
In retirement, he wrote a history of Flagstaff schools from 1883 to 1997, which was published by FUSD.
For more than 30 years, he chaired the drive by the Sunrise Lions Club to distribute eyeglasses to needy children. He was an active member of Federated Community Church and Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity. Other memberships included Flagstaff Elks Lodge, American Legion, American Veterans of Foreign Wars, Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Historical Society, Museum of Northern Arizona and Lowell Observatory.
He was an avid golfer, fisherman, hunter and gardener, and he will be remembered for his intelligence and big heart and always striving for increased excellence in education in the city and state.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Lou Cummings; daughters Diane Sullivan of Phoenix and Dr. Elaine Grodin of Long Beach, Calif.; son William H. Cummings Jr. of Flagstaff; brother David H. Cummings; half-sister Iris Fergeson; half-brother Norman Jackman; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by brother Robert Cummings and sister Jean McElrath.
