Vernon C. Wilson was born to the late Rev. George L. Wilson, Sr. and Virginia Holloway on October 12, 1936 in Belleville, New Jersey. He was the sixth of seven children born to this union. The family later moved to Newark, New Jersey where he was educated in the Newark Public Schools and became a life-long resident.
In 1956, by invitation of his late sister, Udell, he visited Bethesda Church of God in Christ. He was convicted through the gospel and surrendered his life to the Lord, under the auspices of the late Bishop James H. Screven, founder and pastor.
Several years after Vernon’s conversion, he met Beverly Walker, who had become a member in 1962. They were married in March of 1965. To this union were born 10 children – 7 boys and 3 girls. Because of his love for his family, he opened his home to his sisters-in-law so that they would also come to know Christ.
As a father, he led by example, being faithful to the church and teaching his children to be steadfast in service and commitment to the Lord.
Because of his faithfulness, in 1963, Vernon was ordained as a Deacon and later served as Chairman of the Deacon Board. He continued in this office under the late Bishop Nathaniel L. Screven. Vernon also served in various positions, including Finance Committee Chairman, and Sunday School Superintendent. As one of the founding members, when Bethesda was in its infancy, he loved his church and was loyal to leadership. He was faithful in attendance and rarely missed a service whether rain, snow storm or heat. The anointed sound of his bongo playing added a special dimension to the music during church services. He was faithful in securing the church premises and was always ready at a moment’s notice to attend to church affairs or the needs of the pastor. Vernon faithfully attended church services until he was physically unable. He had been a member of his beloved Bethesda until the time the Lord called him home – 61 years.
Vernon was blessed with creative abilities. In the early years of his employment, he worked in pharmacy. He later attended Columbia University in New York City, NY to advance his career. He worked for Beecham, Inc. where he developed products and improved on existing products. He was also granted patents for feminine hygiene products while at Beecham. He worked for GAF in Wayne New Jersey, where he developed products there as well and was granted patents for them. Lastly he worked at Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission as a chemist, from which he retired in 2005.
For a short time, he was founder and CEO of a small business, where he formulated and sold hair care products and perfumes for which he was granted patents. He was also granted domestic and international patents on a mechanical toothbrush.
Vernon was a poet, musician, inventor, entrepreneur and lover of God. His children have inherited his genius, creativity and original thinking in various fields such as the music entertainment world with world renowned artists, news media and meetings with heads of state, fashion design, schools of religion, entrepreneurial ventures and law
enforcement.
Throughout his illness even when he could no longer communicate, nothing would cheer him up more than listening to some good old fashion church music and worship service. He would often sing or hum along to his favorite hymns. He thoroughly enjoyed it when his children would gather around during his birthday celebrations and sang his favorite songs while he accompanied them on the bongos.
Vernon is preceded in death by his brothers, George and Clarence, his sisters, Elizabeth, Pearl and Udell, brother-in-law, Mervin Walker, sisters-in-law, Selene and Teresa.
He leaves to celebrate his life, his wife of 25 years, Beverly Walker-Wilson, his sons, Yehudah Benlewi, formerly Vernon C. Wilson, Jr., of Newark, NJ, Joseph, of Los Angeles, CA, Elder Stephen (Kieann), of East Orange, NJ, Philip (Talya), of Piscataway, NJ, Timothy (N’Kita) of Union, NJ, David, of Sao Palo, Brazil, Jonathan (Angela) of Newark, NJ, his daughters, Christine of South Orange, NJ, Rachael Lewison (Pastor Tyrone) of North Brunswick, NJ and Rebecca of Maplewood, NJ., and a brother, Norvel (Dorothy) of Plainfield, NJ and sisters-in-law, Harriet of Verona, NJ, 26 grandchildren and one great grandson, a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

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