Roy “Sonny” Wilson Weatherford III was born on June 14, 1959. He was married to the love of his life, Tammy, for twenty-four years, and was a loving father to Michael and Dustin. His grandchildren, Jemma, Gunner, Bella, and Keagan were the light of his life and their “Pap” was the light of theirs.
His life’s purpose was service to his community, which he carried out dutifully in his 42 years in law enforcement. He began his career as an officer with the Portland Police Department in 1983; moving to deputy for the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office in 1985. He became chief deputy under Sheriff Bob Barker in 2006. In 2010, he became interim Sheriff upon the death of Sheriff Barker, and he was elected Sheriff of Sumner County later that year.
He served in various positions on the board for the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association and was elected to Vice President of his division at the 2024 Conference. He faithfully served the citizens of Sumner County, the men and women of the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association until his death on August 2, 2024.
His compassion, empathy, and commitment to justice will be his legacy. The men and women of the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office will honor his memory in continuing the work they do in service to the community that he so loved.
Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Wilson Weatherford Jr. and Lois Jean Wright Weatherford; grandparents Roy Wilson Weatherford Sr., Lena Weatherford, James Wright, and Marie Wright; and brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Collins.
Sonny is survived by his loving wife Tammy Lynn Weatherford; sons, Stephen Michael (Kelsey) Weatherford and Dustin Kyle (Geneva) Weatherford; grandchildren, Jemma Rose Weatherford, Gunner Drake Weatherford, Arabella Grace Jean Weatherford, and Keagan McKenna Lynn Weatherford; siblings, Cheryl Collins, Ronnie Weatherford, and Dana (Bobby) Oldham; nieces, Alicia Collins Varble, Jaime (Beau) Troutt, Kelly (Austin) Nelson, Jessica Oldham, Jodi (Mo) Weatherford; nephew, Zach (Mel) Weatherford; great-niece, Hannah Varble; great-nephews, Isaac Stewart, Collin Varble, Landon Varble, Lawson Varble, Rainer Oldham, Greyson Troutt, and Jackson Nelson; many close friends; and his brothers and sisters in law enforcement.
Funeral Services will be conducted 12:00 P.M., Friday, August 9, 2024 at Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville with Bill Sorrells officiating. Interment will follow in Crestview Memory Gardens with Sumner County Deputies serving as pallbearers. Visitation with the family will be on Thursday from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. and Friday from 11:00 A.M. until service time all at Long Hollow Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Sonny to Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Sonny donated to the organization every year in honor of his mother.
Arrangements Entrusted to: Sumner Funeral & Cremation Lakeside, Hendersonville (615) 822-4442 www.sumnerfuneral.com
For more obituaries visit https://sumnercountysource.com/obituaries/
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