February 10, 1922
October 9, 2010
Vernon Willson, 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully in Hanford October 9, 2010 following a lengthy illness.
He was born in San Francisco to Thomas and Helen Willson and grew up in the Bay Area. He graduated from Oakland High School where he was active in music, sports and the rowing team.
Shortly after high school graduation, Vern met and married Eloise Jane Carr, and together they had three children, Eloise passed away in 1982.
Vern was an extremely intelligent man with great love for his family. Supporting his family was an uppermost concern during his long, varied and interesting career.
One of this first jobs was with the U.S. Coast Guard Geodetic Survey Team in Alaska, and he went on to work as an Army Air Corps Cadet. During his time in the Army Air Corps, he served a short tour in Cuba; and after leaving the Army, he worked for 10 years with Civil Service in Alameda, California.
Vern's primary career was with General Electric Company, working as a technical representative for aircraft engines. His work took him all over the globe. At times, his family accompanied him, but often they were left in the safer and more secure environment of the United States.
He lived with his family for several years within the continental U.S. and one year in Hawaii before being given assignments in Vietnam, Italy, Thailand and Iran.
Vern was attached to the Marines in Vietnam, in Hue and DaNang. He was called out of Vietnam to go to Italy for five years where, once again, his family was able to join him. He was in Iran during the last six months of the Shah's reign and he told exciting stories of fire, fights in the streets and the evacuation of foreign nationals.
Continuing as a tech-rep with GE, Vern was then attached to the Navy where he specialized in problem solution, working with and instructing the Navy mechanics who maintained the GE engines in jet aircraft. This service took him from one end of the Mediterranean to the other, including Spain, Africa and Greece.
Shortly before his retirement in 1988, Vern met and married Marjorie Travis (Tidwell). They honeymooned on the French Riviera, the beginning of their 23 years of happily married life.
Vern was a dedicated member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hanford where he attended regularly until his illness prevented his doing so.
Like Vern himself, his interests were unusual. He will be remembered for his skill as a gourmet cook, for his artistic abilities, and for his fantastic sense of humor. He became a great cook, having learned different cooking techniques and the usage of many seasonings in the different countries in which he had lived.
The son of an artist and sign painter, Vern had learned the skillful art of lettering from his father and was himself a talented cartoonist. He had a great sense of humor and a ready response to any comment.
His hobbies included reading (non-fiction) and Golf. After retirement, he spent as much time as possible on the golf course; and for 13 years, Vern enjoyed participating in the yearly Hackers Golf Tournament in Reno, Nevada.
Vern was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert and his first wife, Eloise.
He is survived by his loving family: his wife, Marjorie; children, Susan Weisberger and her former husband, Harry of Sedona, Arizona; Thomas Willson and his wife, Vicki of Phoenix, Arizona, Kirk Willson and wife, Laural of San Diego; step-children, Linda Tidwell Morgan and husband, David of San Diego, Mike Tidwell and his wife, Brenda of Lemoore; grandchildren, Heather Weisberger and Joel Weisberger of San Diego, Marie Willson of Phoenix, Sam Willson U.S. Navy, Pensacola, Florida, Blake Willson, Bryce Willson, Dalton Hermes and Lauren Johnson of San Diego, Alec Morgan of San Diego, Travis Tidwell and wife, Christine of Fresno, Jacob Tidwell and wife, Ayla of Lemoore; and a great-grandchild, Madison Weisberger of San Diego.
A Celebration of Life will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23 at the First Presbyterian Church, 340 N. Irwin St., Hanford. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church or to the organization of choice.