WMC Action News
May 30, 2017
One of the original members of Elvis' Memphis Mafia died from cancer.
Delbert B. "Sonny" West, Jr., of Hendersonville, Tennessee, died May 24 in Nashville.
Sonny West was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the tonsil in April 2012. He fought the diagnosis with chemotherapy and radiation; he was pronounced cancer free later in 2012.
Since then, West underwent triple bypass heart surgery, contracted pneumonia, and developed lung cancer--which eventually took his life.
West was considered Elvis' Head of Security. He toured throughout the United States with Elvis and even appeared in several films with him.
West eventually landed some television and movie roles without Elvis--perhaps most notably as Ellie Mae's boyfriend in The Beverly Hillbillies.
West's funeral will be held at Crestview Funeral Home in Gallatin, Tennessee. There will be two public visitations: One Wednesday, May 31, between 4-8 p.m. and another Thursday, June 1, between 12-3 p.m.
West funeral is also open to the public. It will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 1st.
Delbert B. "Sonny" West, Jr., of Hendersonville, Tennessee, died May 24 in Nashville.
Sonny West was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the tonsil in April 2012. He fought the diagnosis with chemotherapy and radiation; he was pronounced cancer free later in 2012.
Since then, West underwent triple bypass heart surgery, contracted pneumonia, and developed lung cancer--which eventually took his life.
West was considered Elvis' Head of Security. He toured throughout the United States with Elvis and even appeared in several films with him.
West eventually landed some television and movie roles without Elvis--perhaps most notably as Ellie Mae's boyfriend in The Beverly Hillbillies.
West's funeral will be held at Crestview Funeral Home in Gallatin, Tennessee. There will be two public visitations: One Wednesday, May 31, between 4-8 p.m. and another Thursday, June 1, between 12-3 p.m.
West funeral is also open to the public. It will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 1st.
WEST, Sonny (Delbert B. West Jr.)
Born: 7/5/1938, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Died: May 24, 2017, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Sonny West’s westerns – actor, stuntman:
Tickle Me – 1965 [stunts]
Daniel Boone (TV) – 1967 (Indian brave)
Stay Away Joe – 1968 (Jackson He-Crow)