Phillip Hillman Verne

Phillip Hillman Verne, of Fallbrook, Calif., passed away June 13, 2011 at the age of 78. He was preceded in death by his son, Dana Michael Alan Verne in 2007. He leaves behind a daughter, Victoria Mathison of San Marcos; two sons, Phillip Michael Verne of Danville and Craig Alan Verne of Santa Ana; and his former wife of 37 years, Marilyn Verne of Palm Desert.

Phil started his career in the hardware business at the age of 18 and he loved what he did. He was with American Wholesale Hardware in Long Beach for 40 years and then moved on to Cascade Wholesale Hardware in Oregon. His last few years...