Vernal was born 16 Aug 1924 in Ogden UT to Horace and Estella Kingston Holley, the fifth of sevem children. (Vernal was a grandson of Henry Cecil Holley & Amanda Jane Knight, who was the daughter of John Knight III & Sarah Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of John Taylor & Eleanor Burkett.)

Vernal graduated from Weber High in 1942. On 19 Aug 1947 he married Sarah Deloris Stuart in Ogden. They raised their family in Wilson, where he built their home and worked in the dairy business and farming. He managed the Utah State Industrial School farm for ten years and was a masonry contractor for several years. In 1986 they moved to Roy UT.

Vernal died 8 Sep 2000 of cancer and heart failure. He was survived by three daughters, eighteen grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Burial was 14 Sep, 2000 in Ogden City Cemetery.