Born in Braselton, Georgia, Charles L. Waddell graduated from high school in 1951. He soon found a position as a passenger service officer with American Airlines, moving to the Washington D.C. area and beginning his career at National Airport. In 1962, he transferred to the newly constructed Dulles Airport shortly before its dedication in November of that year. Waddell continued to work for American Airlines at Dulles throughout his career, handing all aspects of the airlines operations. In the early 1960s, he turned his attention to public service. An active Democrat, he was both the Chairman of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee and later the Chairman of the Democratic Committee for the 22nd Senate District before campaigning for and being elected to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in 1967, serving the Broad Run District.

In 1971, the 33rd State Senate District was created in Northern Virginia. Waddell ran for the newly elected seat and won, beginning a career as an influential member of the Virginia Senate that would last for 27 years. Waddell served as chairman of the Senate Transportation committee, and transportation served as a key issue in his legislative work. He helped improve roads in Loudoun County, notably shepherding the creation of the Route 28 Transportation Tax District, transforming a two-lane road to a modern highway with multiple interchanges. His legislation also laid groundwork for the Dulles Greenway.

Other issues at the core of Waddell's legislative work included advocating for fair utility charges, environmental issues, and the transportation of nuclear material through Northern Virginia. He also worked to improve education in Virginia, campaigning early in his career for free public text books in schools. Sometimes called the "Singing Senator", Waddell was well known for performing both his at own campaign events and at other public gatherings. In 1998, Waddell stepped down from his Senate seat to take the position of Virginia Secretary of Transportation. Retiring from the office in 2002, he continues to be active in public life, serving three terms on the Herndon Town Council, as the president of the Dumbarton Square Homeowner's Association and as president of the Herndon Historical Society. Waddell received a special recognition certificate at the 2014 Loudoun County History Awards ceremony at the Thomas Balch Library.