William Cason "Vernon"

William “Vernon” Cason, 78, transitioned from this life on January 9, 2022.  He was born on November 17, 1943 in Virginia Beach, VA to late Lois Henrietta Cason-Caffee and Ernest Garfield Caffee, Jr.   William “Vernon” Cason was educated in Virginia Beach, VA public school system and graduated from Union Kempsville High School.  While Vernon attended school, he had an immense love for music which led him to create a band called “Vernon Cason & The Playboys.” William Vernon Cason became mostly known as Vernon, and everyone knew his passion was his music.  Vernon Cason & Playboys were the first all-black band to play locally at the Peppermint Beach Club located on the beachfront in Virginia Beach in the early 60’.  Vernon’s passion to pursue his music career propelled him to relocate to the BIG APPLE, New York City where he landed a job as a professional drummer at the Playboy Club. Vernon talents and skills as a professional drummer allowed him to play alongside such celebrities such as the late Jackie Wilson, late Wilson Pickett, and the late Buddy Rich, as well as playing with the Chairmen of the Board band.  Vernon travelled to over 20 states as a professional drummer and assisted with singing backup when needed.  Vernon’s music career spanned from the 1960’s to 1980’s where he made several TV appearances on CBS, Mildred Alexander TV Talk Show and more.  In addition, he was on a radio station called Jack Holmes Show (WRAP) from Norfolk, VA.

While music was always William “Vernon” Cason first love. Vernon in conjunction with his music started working at Rockland Psychiatric Center, originally Rockland State Hospital, in Orangeburg, New York. Vernon began his career at RPC in October 1976 as a Mental Hygienist Therapy Aide, where he served as President for CSEA Local 421 from 1989 through 1991. Vernon took his role as the president very serious and was a big advocate for the CSEA Local 421 members. Vernon received his Carpenter Apprentice license from a Carpenter’s Apprentice program and practiced Carpentry April 1990 through June 1998 at RPC, and after many years as a Carpenter, Vernon was promoted to a General Mechanic, until his retirement in March of 2003 from RPC. Vernon also worked for Lederle’s for many years as a Lab Tech.

Upon retiring from Rockland Psychiatric Center, Vernon moved back to Virginia Beach, VA (his home,) where it all started.   Vernon loved sports, and was an avid Fan of the Washington Redskins, where he was a season’s ticket holder, and a fan of the LA Dodgers baseball teams respectively.    Vernon extended his love of sports by volunteering his time to coach girls’ basketball in Nyack.  In addition, Vernon was the youth basketball coach for an all-boys team in Virginia Beach, VA called Virginia Beach Hurricanes.  Vernon also loved to fish and would go out fishing with his buddies in New York or fish at the pier in Virginia, Beach VA.  Vernon loved his family; especially his three beautiful daughters Vernita, Verna, Vernell and his nephew who was like a son William “BJ” Jones.

William “Vernon” Cason is predeceased in death by his parents, Henrietta Lois Cason-Caffee and Ernest Garfield Caffee; his Wife Rose Cason; Brother James “Jimmy” Caffee; daughter Vernell Denise Cason;(whom affectionately cared for her father until her untimely passing) bonus-son David Troy Jones.  Those left to cherish his precious memories,  Daughters Vernita Cason-Ford (Anthony) Detroit, MI; Verna Cason-Blangor (John) Haverstraw, NY; nephew who was raised by Vernon, William “BJ” Jones Virginia Beach, VA;  bonus-son James Jones (Claire); Daughter-n-law Charlene Jones, Nyack NY; Sisters Apostle Linda C Smith (Vardell) Stonecrest, GA; Mildred D Thomas, Lithonia, GA; Brothers Pastor John Wilson (Bernice) Virginia Beach, VA; Pastor David Caffee (Co-Pastor Ann) Waldorf, MD, Charles Caffee, Virginia Beach, VA; Grandchildren Vernon “Sean” Cason Virginia Beach, VA; James Denegal, Jr. Detroit, MI; Lonnie Cason (Ashley) Stony Point, NY; Shaunyce Jones Haverstraw, NY; Aaron Jones Nyack, NY (Kristian); Cornell Jones West Haverstraw, NY; Christopher Jones Brooklyn, NY, Great Grandchildren Sean Vernon Cason, Mya Cason, James Anthony Cason, Alyssa Vernita Cason, Shawn Vernon Cason, Anointed Holy Eaton and Sage Michelle Jones and Aunt Frances Cason, Queens, New York and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Vernon was a man of character and dignity and was loved by those who knew him.   Vernon lived his life to the fullest and did exactly what he wanted to do in life.  Whatever he set his heart and mind out to do he would conquer it, but only in the Vernon Cason way!