Funeral services are scheduled at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary - Columbus for Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 10:00 AM with Reverend Andy Ginn and Reverend Dick Reese officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held at Striffler-Hamby - Columbus on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
Sonny Lollar was born in Columbus, GA on June 27, 1940, to Jack and Tiny Lollar. Except for a two-year tour of duty in the US Army stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, he lived in Columbus all his life. Sonny began his 50 years of service to the Columbus community with the Columbus Police Department. During his 30 years of service with the CPD he earned his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from CVCC. Sonny served the CPD in many capacities including Patrolman, Alcohol Safety Project, Auto Theft Detective, School Crossing Guard Director, and supervising Muscogee County School District High School Graduation Security and Decorum. He also obtained funding for the use of the first robotic policeman in the MCSD elementary schools. In addition to his CPD service, he worked security for the Lions Club sponsored annual trips for 5th and 6th graders to Washington, DC and New York City, NY for over 15 years. He also worked security for the Miss Georgia Pageant for over 10 years.
After retiring from the CPD, Sonny easily transitioned to the Director of Security for the MCSD. In this position, he spent 20 years dedicated to maintaining integrity of all MCSD property and maintaining the safety of students and personnel. While in this role, he recognized the need for the presence of police officers in the schools, which led him to develop, implement, and manage a violence prevention program which placed police officers in middle and high schools.
Sonny’s work was never done. He would visit local housing projects to motivate children by saying “work hard in school and stay out of trouble”. That was his mantra to every child he met. He believed you can achieve anything with hard work and dedication. The fruits of his labor continue to be seen 30 years later. Recently, his wife was told by one of his caregivers she has vivid childhood memories of Sonny coming to her community. She stated his guidance kept her out of trouble which led her to a successful career.
In his spare time between CPD or MCSD tasks, you could find him at a construction site. He worked hard to hone his skills and earned his General Contracting License. He progressed to building custom homes from the ground up, including his daughter’s first home. He was able to use his craftsmanship to build 20 plus beautiful homes in Muscogee and Harris County.
Sonny and his son, Little Sonny, did not know what a stranger was. Wherever they went they either knew someone or were about to make a new friend. When they walked into a restaurant, school, or church someone was always saying “Hi Sonny and Little Sonny, great to see you”. They were always eager to hear other people’s stories and share their own stories as well.
Sonny was always there for anyone who needed him but really had a special place in his heart for anyone with special needs, the sick, and the elderly. He has always been the biggest advocate for Little Sonny no matter how big the challenge was. His love for the elderly was evidenced by delivering Frostys daily to residents at the Greenhouse of Calvary.
Sonny loved his life with his wife, children, and grandchildren. His love for travel took his wife and grandchildren to many national parks, notably Yellowstone and Glacier. His favorite national park was the Great Smoky Mountains where he built the “infamous” mountain house near Bryson City where over 30 years of wonderful memories were made. In his fifties, he learned to snow ski to keep up with Joy and Jack. He always loved to make people laugh so his backwards skiing was a crowd pleaser on the ski slopes. While he was not traveling, he loved rocking on his back porch watching bluebirds and hummingbirds visit his many bird feeders.
Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years, Bobbie Ann Newton Lollar; two sons, Sonny Lollar, Jr. (Little Sonny) and Jack Lollar (Kelly); one daughter, Joy Lollar Wirth (Hank); five grandchildren, William Wirth (Michelle) of Atlanta, GA, Dr. Kathryn Wirth of Columbia, SC, Amanda Wirth of Atlanta, GA, Ashley Lollar Bray (Andrew) of Orlando, FL, and Jaclynn Lollar Jones (Jarred) and other well-loved relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Roland "Bud" Bush (Lyndal); sisters Nell Vaught, Betty Lollar Smith (Jim), and Barbara Lollar Malphus (Clyde).
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, PO Box 1950, Clarksburg, MD 20871-1950.
