William J. Vernon's Obituary
William Joseph “Bill” Vernon, son of William Claud and Charlotte Leola Clinkenbeard Vernon, was born January 19, 1925, in Springfield, Missouri. He departed this life Tuesday, October 9, 2007, in Lake Regional Hospital, in Osage Beach, Missouri, at the age of eighty-two years, eight months, and twenty days. On September 1, 1991, he was united in marriage to Claudine Hays, and together they shared the last sixteen years. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his first wife, Joann Miller Kinnett. Bill is survived by his wife, Claudine, of the home; a brother, Robert “Bob” Vernon, and his wife, Marilyn, of Lebanon, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He was raised in the Blackfoot community, in Laclede County, Missouri, until his family moved into Lebanon. The family made their home in Ava, Missouri for a short time before moving to Dearborn, Michigan for a number of years. Bill then served his country faithfully in the United States Navy during World War II and took part in the Pacific Theater operation. After being honorably discharged from the military, he returned to Michigan where he worked in the machine shop with his father. In 1948, the family moved back to Lebanon and established Vernon & Sons Enterprises, Inc., which Bill, Bob and their father all operated together. Bill served as President of the corporation and particularly enjoyed the heavy equipment and shop part of the business. Bill had made his profession of faith in Christ and was a member of First Baptist Church in Lebanon. He had a home shop where he loved to work and had also done some excavating and building at Mount Rose Memorial Park at one time. Throughout the years, he had enjoyed his home on the Lake of the Ozarks and always liked to fish in his spare time. Bill was a loving family man, a dedicated businessman, and a caring friend to many. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he made for his family and many friends. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 12, 2007, in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon. Burial will be in Mount Rose Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri.
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