GREENSBORO — William Benjamin Vernon, 79, passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at Moses Cone Hospital. Mr. Vernon was born on July 31, 1932 in Bradford, PA to William Vernon Sr. and Marian Brown Vernon.
Mr. Vernon was educated in the Bradford Public Schools. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in economics and government from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. He continued his education at the University of Pittsburg where he received a Masters Degree in Public Administration.
Mr. Vernon served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army for two years. He was stationed in Germany where he worked as a military policeman.
Much of Mr. Vernon's career was spent in banking, both in Pennsylvania and Michigan. Prior to his retirement, he spent many years as a commercial real estate appraiser.
Mr. Vernon was an avid volunteer and involved in numerous church and civic activities. He was an active member of the Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions clubs over the years. He was a past president of the Habitat for Humanity Boards in Kalamazoo, MI and Greensboro, NC. He was also a longtime member and officer of the Servant Center Board in Greensboro.
As a lifelong Presbyterian, the church was the center of Mr. Vernon's life. He was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and Sunday School teacher. He enjoyed volunteering in numerous capacities and participated in several mission trips. He will be greatly missed by his church family.
Preceding Mr. Vernon in death were his first wife, Donna Hokanson Vernon and daughter, Lynn Carol Vernon. He is survived by his wife, Jean Stephenson Camp of the home. Others left to cherish his memory are son, Jeffrey William Vernon (Catherine) and grandchildren, Lauren Donnell Vernon, Ian William Vernon, and Brenton Jeffrey Vernon all of Syracuse, NY; brother, Robert Brown Vernon (Edna) of Sydney, Australia; niece, Michelle Louise Vernon of Merimbula, Australia; nephew, Jean-Paul Vernon of Sydney, Australia; and step-son, Jason Warner Stell of the home.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers at Carriage House Senior Living Community in Greensboro, Home Instead Senior Care, and Moses Cone Hospital. Their living care and concern for Mr. Vernon and his family are greatly appreciated.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 24, at 2 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greensboro. A reception will follow in the church Fellowship Hall
. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3906 West Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC, 27410 or The American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc., Parkinson Plaza, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY, 10305.
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