waddell graduated from c. e. byrd high school in shreveport and received his bachelor of arts from the university of louisiana at monroe, then known as northeast louisiana university. he has been the president of louisiana moulding & supply, inc. since 1980, the owner of kd plastics since 1995, and waddell's gallery of distinction since 1970. waddell is a member of shreveport rotary international and the shreveport symphony. married to the former susan marie simpson (born january 31, 1948), he has two sons, greg and riley waddell.