Career
Funnell was born 8 June 1891 in Goulburn, New South Wales to parents William Funnell and Jessie Anne Funnell, née Worchurst. He attended South Goulburn Public School before joining the New South Wales Government Railways and Tramways office in 1906 as an apprentice clerk. In March 1946, Funnell was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Labour and National Service.
Funnell died on 25 October 1962 in Castlecrag, Sydney.