Celebration of Life and Homegoing services were held recently for Mr. Bonny L. Wardlaw at Piney Ridge CME Church of Union Mills, NC, where the Rev. William Scott is the pastor.
Bonny was the son of Jasper and Mamie Wardlaw, one of 16 children who grew up on a farm in the Chunns Cove area of Asheville, NC. He was the last living sibling of his generation, including his twin brother Johnny, who preceded him in death.
After graduating from Stephens-Lee High School in the Class of 1955, Bonny attended NC A&T State University. His first job was as a caddie at local golf courses; later he worked as a head waiter for the Bailey’s Cafeteria franchise, traveling throughout NC and Virginia to open new cafeterias, and training the staff at the former American Enka plant, west of Asheville.
One of the most pivotal, life-changing moments of Bonny’s career came when he joined the City of Asheville Police Department. At that time the APD was segregated, but the criteria to become an officer were the same for all officers: to be a high school graduate, to take the state qualifying test, and to have a clean record. However, when he first applied there were no openings for black officers, so then-Chief Hall recommended him for work as a corrections officer for Craggy State Prison, which he did for 2-1/2 years.
After passing the state test in 1965, Bonny became one of the first Black Asheville officers. He drove patrol car #14, working with many partners, including primarily Harold Fields, as well as Willie Allen, Alfred Beard, George Gregg, Bruce Pagan, Walt Robinson, Joe Singleton, William Wardlaw, Harry Washington, Leeman Williams, and Herbert “Watt Daddy” Watts.
To be a good policeman, he once explained, “You had to have good judgment, you had to be a man and stand your ground…. Respect is warranted on both sides, but … you can’t be afraid. A good cop is pleasant; they smile and rely on communication first and foremost. You have to know when…
Read the full article here
