the son of joseph david waggonner, sr. (1873-1950) and the former elizzibeth johnston (1882-1957), waggonner was a deputy under sheriff louis h. padgett, sr., from 1936 to 1948, when he was elected sheriff at the time that earl kemp long returned to the louisiana governorship after an absence of eight years. waggonner was a president of the louisiana sheriff's association and a member of the louisiana peace officers and the national sheriff's associations. he was affiliated too with the masonic lodge, lions international, and the chamber of commerce.