JACKSON, Mich. — Services for Willie L. “Coach” Cason, formerly of Vicksburg, will be at 1 today at The House of Johnson Funeral Home chapel in Jackson, Mich., with the Rev. Tony Lyons officiating. A memorial service will be in Vicksburg at a later date.

Mr. Cason died Feb. 22, 2012, at his home in Jackson, Mich. He was 78.

He was born in Jefferson County to the Rev. Berkmon R. Cason Sr. and Josie B. Jones Cason. He graduated from Bowman High School in Vicksburg in 1953 and from Mississippi Valley State University in 1957. He taught and coached at Rosa A. Temple High School and before moving to Michigan, where he served in the recreation department and as superintendent at Cassidy Lake Technical School in Chelsea.

He served as deputy warden at Michigan Training in Ionia and at North Complex State Prison in Jackson. He retired from the Michigan Department of Social Services.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, James Sanders, Berkmon L. Cason Jr. and Johnny C. Cason; and a sister, Estella Sanders.

Survivors include a son, Jerry Martin of Jackson, Mich.; one brother, Rayfield Cason of Redford, Mich.; four sisters, Mary Lou Figures of Chicago, Charity Cason and Helon Cason, both of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Rosie M. Cason of Vicksburg; and nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and other relatives, including Diane Isaac of Jackson, Mich., Jessie L. Terrell of Vicksburg and members of the Smith and Cox families of Vicksburg.

Memorials may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society.