William W. Vernon

William W. “Bill” Vernon, PhD
William W. “Bill” Vernon, PhD, age 92, passed away at 11:35 AM on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at his residence.
He was born November 1, 1925 in Concord, New Hampshire to the late William W. Sr. and Marie (Mercier) Virgin.
Bill was a graduate of Tilton Prep School and the University of New Hampshire. He received a MS in Geology and his PhD in Geology from Lehigh University. He went on to receive his MS in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania. He specialized in the analysis of minerals, rocks, and ceramics using microscopic methods. He was co-director of Archaeological Excavations in NY State from 1972 – 1980 and Project Geologist for the study of an ancient copper mine at Phu Lon in northeast Thailand in 1985 and 1988. He was also a member of MASCA and provided geological analysis for the studies of crucibles at Ban Chiang and Phu Lon. Bill honorably served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. Bill retired as a Professor from Dickinson College after 35 years where he was the founder of the Geology Department. He was a member of: Sigma XI; the Geological Society of America; PA Poetry Society, Inc.; Carlisle Poets Workshop; and the Unitarian Universalist of Cumberland Valley.
He is survived by: his wife, Susan N. (Nelson) Vernon of Carlisle; a son, Thomas Lee Vernon of Carlisle; two sisters, Mary Wakefield of Annapolis, Maryland and Barbara Stickell of Alexandria, VA; two step-daughters, Renee (husband Jeremy) Danforth of Tucson, AZ and Anastasia (husband Michael) Bolognese of Conshohocken; three grandchildren, Ashley and Emma Danforth and Isabella Bolognese; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, William was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Vernon. They had been married for 55 years.
Memorial service will be held at a date to be determined at the Unitarian Universalist of Cumberland Valley, 2 Forge Road, Boiling Springs, PA with Rev. Aija Simpson officiating. Private burial will be at Ashland Cemetery, Carlisle. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The William W. Vernon Research Fund at Dickinson College, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Attention Advancement, P.O. Box 1773, Carlisle, 17013
Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA. To sign the guestbook, please visit www.HoffmanFH.com