Berny was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 30, 1950. He was raised by a single Mom. They moved to Bay City Michigan some years later. He graduated from Central High School, Bay City, Michigan. Berny has 2 sisters, Juanita and Syble and one brother  Joe.  They all grew up by the hardest means. Berny worked for McDonald's and upon graduation in 1969 enlisted into the United States Air Force. Berny served and volunteered to go to Vietnam. After a honorable discharge as a Sargent,  Berny worked in Michigan but decided from the economy being what it was he started for Florida to join the highway patrol. He ended up in Virginia and decided he needed to settle down. He met his wife, Carolyn, married and had a son, Ashley, who he loved dearly. 
Berny was a Deacon in his church, Shenandoah Community Fellowship, in Woodstock, Va. He was the co owner of Vivid Hair Designs and Spa with his wife. He always had a smile on his face and a hug for anyone as well as a good listening ear. Oh yes and candy for the kids! 
He volunteered for the Martinsburg V A Medical Center as a driver of the Veterans  Association  Van. He would always say that was the least he could do to help veterans. He wanted to help his fellow veterans as much as possible and was very proud of his association with the Martinsburg V A Medical Center.