Vernon Derrell Force 86 of Prosperity died Saturday February 21 2015 at his residence. Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 PM Tuesday at Central United Methodist Church conducted by the Rev. Tresco Shannon. Interment will follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be on Monday from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Whitaker Funeral Home. He was born in Newberry SC on February 14 1929 a son of the late George C. and Inez Hendrix Force. He attended Newberry College and received additional schooling and training throughout his military career. He served in the US Army and following his active duty service he joined the SC National Guard serving in the National Guard Technician Program and in the AGR Program. After thirty seven years he retired from the National Guard with numerous decorations medals and awards. Among the medals awarded was the National Guard Retirement Medal. Mr. Force was a member and Past Master of Amity Lodge #87 Ancient Free Masons Newberry SC; Member and Past Patron of Newberry Chapter #226 Order of the Eastern Star; Past Grand Patron of Grand Chapter of SC Order of the Eastern Star; Past President of the Newberry High School Bulldog Booster Club; Member of the National Guard Association of SC; and Member of Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the US (EANGUS). He was a member of Central United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife Alma Taylor Force; sons and their spouses Derrell and Terry Kay Force David T and Cathey Force and Daniel C. and Angela Force; 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Wendell Tumblin Richard Crumpton Andrew Pugh Merriett Moseley Howard Coggins and Brent Willingham. Honorary pallbearers will be John Paul Whitaker Bobby Clark Marion Livingston Paul Shealy Bob McCartha all Eastern Star members and past Grand Matrons and Patrons of S.C. Memorials are suggested to Central United Methodist Church General Fund. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home Newberry is assisting the family.