Bill Dundee obit

“Superstar” Bill Dundee passes away at the age of 82

 

He was not on the list.

Memphis Wrestling star “Superstar” Bill Dundee has passed away at the age of 82. The news was announced by his son, Jamie, on Facebook. Jamie wrote, “With a heavy heart it hurts me to have to say this… At 3:30 this morning the SUPERSTAR BILL DUNDEE has passed away… I love you Dad. I’ll catch you on the OTHERSIDE……..”

Book Pro Wrestlers noted the following about Dundee’s wrestling career…

“At 5-foot-7, Dundee carried himself like the biggest man in any building. He could stand beside Jerry Lawler as his greatest partner or across from him as his fiercest rival—and make an entire territory live and die with every turn of the story. For generations of fans, ‘Superstar’ was never simply a nickname. He earned it.

Only two weeks ago, Bill was back among the Memphis wrestling family. On August 21, he appeared alongside Jerry Lawler, Jimmy Hart and others at the Tupelo SuperShow benefiting St. Jude. Two days later, on August 23, he made his first—and what would become his final—appearance at the Memphis Wrestling WrestleCenter.”

His son, Jamie Dundee, shared the devastating news just minutes ago, announcing that his father passed away at 3:30 this morning. He was 82 years old.

Jamie closed his message with words no son should ever have to write:

“I love you Dad. I’ll catch you on the other side. Rest in peace, Superstar.”

I had gotten up this morning hoping to find an encouraging update on Andy Williams. Instead, I opened Facebook to this. On a morning when the wrestling world was already holding its breath, it has now lost one of the true pillars of Memphis wrestling.

Bill Dundee wasn’t merely one of its great stars. He was one of the men who made Memphis wrestling what it was.

At 5-foot-7, Dundee carried himself like the biggest man in any building. He could stand beside Jerry Lawler as his greatest partner or across from him as his fiercest rival—and make an entire territory live and die with every turn of the story. For generations of fans, “Superstar” was never simply a nickname. He earned it.

Only two weeks ago, Bill was back among the Memphis wrestling family. On August 21, he appeared alongside Jerry Lawler, Jimmy Hart and others at the Tupelo SuperShow benefiting St. Jude. Two days later, on August 23, he made his first—and what would become his final—appearance at the Memphis Wrestling WrestleCenter.

There he was, still part of the sport he loved and surrounded by people who loved him. Nobody watching could have fully understood that they were witnessing a final goodbye. You simply never know when one more appearance, one more photograph or one more wave to the fans will become the last one.

Jamie and several other members of the Dundee family have long been part of our Book Pro Wrestlers community. This morning, we ask our readers to surround all of them with love. Please keep Jamie, Bill’s entire family, his friends and everyone who loved the Superstar in your thoughts and prayers.

Rest in peace, Bill Dundee.

Thank you for the Saturday mornings, the Monday nights at the Mid-South Coliseum and a lifetime of memories.

The Superstar will never be forgotten.

— Steve Stasiak, Book Pro Wrestlers