Sonny West | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Sonny_West.jpg) Sonny West at the White House, December 1970 | |
| Born | Delbert Bryant West Jr. July 5, 1938 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | May 24, 2017 (aged 78) Hendersonville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Resting place | Crestview Memory Gardens, Gallatin, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1962–2007 |
| Known for | bodyguard of Elvis Presley |
| Spouse |
Judy Jordan (m. 1970) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Red West (cousin) |
Delbert Bryant West Jr. (July 5, 1938[1][2] – May 24, 2017), known professionally as Sonny West, was a friend and bodyguard of the singer Elvis Presley along with his cousin Red West for sixteen years, as part of the Elvis entourage at Elvis' Memphis home Graceland, which became known as "The Memphis Mafia".[citation needed]
His parents came from Pontotoc, Mississippi, not far from Tupelo, Elvis Presley's hometown. West was one of two sons and five daughters. Both West and Elvis grew up in different lower income projects in Memphis, Tennessee and, although living near to one another, never actually met in childhood. Before and after Elvis' passing, West wrote several books, and made public appearances at Elvis related conventions and gatherings, speaking out about his time working for Presley and their relationship.[3]
- ^ "Delbert B. "Sonny" West, Jr". Crestview Funeral Home. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
- ^ "Delbert Bryant West - United States Census, 1940". FamilySearch.org. Retrieved July 20, 2017. Aged 1 year when the Census was made in 1940.
- ^ "Sonny West of Elvis' Memphis Mafia dies at 79". WMCActionNews5.com. 31 May 2017.