Dennis "Sonny" Craig Waddell Sr.

Phoenix, Arizona lost a legend with the passing of Dennis Craig “Sonny” Waddell Sr. Born under the desert sun on August 25, 1969, Sonny lived life like a whirlwind of charm, wit, and unbeatable hustle. He left us on April 11, 2025, but his larger-than-life spirit will keep sparking smiles for years to come.

Sonny was an entrepreneur with a silver tongue—legend has it he could sell a popsicle to a penguin and make it feel like a deal. His passion for picking and garage sale treasure hunts turned him into a master of the find, unearthing gems from dusty corners and giving them new life. His growing Whatnot channel was his stage, where he’d light up the screen with live auctions of Hot Wheels, Funko Pops, vinyl records, vintage threads, and his beloved silver coins, charming bidders with his quick wit and infectious grin. His partner-in-crime on these auction adventures was his Nonna, the dynamic duo turning every livestream into a treasure-hunting party.

To Son Dog, every item had a story, and he was the best storyteller around. Whether he was haggling over a rare record, treating his customers to a vintage Redline Hotwheel, or cracking jokes to keep the auction buzzing, he had a knack for making everyone feel like they were part of the adventure. His love for the hustle was only matched by his love for the people he met along the way.

Sonny leaves behind a legacy of laughter, hustle, and heart. He is survived by his mother, Dianne Waddell; his two sons, Dennis Craig “Slim” Waddell Jr. and Tristen James “TJ” Waddell; his grandson, Dennis Craig “Junior” Waddell III; his brothers, Brian Waddell Sr., Jeffrey Waddell, and Tudor Waddell Sr.; his sisters-in-law, Lina Waddell, Eva Waddell, and Mimi Waddell; his nephews, Brian Waddell Jr., Alex Waddell, Tudor Waddell Jr., and Vinny Waddell; and his nieces, Briana May and Jenna Waddell.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a “GiveSendGo” and requests donations to help his mom and boys cover the costs of his services. https://www.givesendgo.com/SonnyWaddell

Here’s to you, Sonny—may the ultimate treasure hunt in the sky be full of epic finds and endless auctions. Keep ‘em laughing up there.

Please visit Sonny's memorial page at sonnywaddell.com.