MEMPHIS — Bill Dundee, a professional wrestler known for his work in Memphis, died at age 82 on September 7, 2025. His son Jamie Dundee announced the death in a Facebook post, stating that his father passed away at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday.

The cause of Bill Dundee's death was not disclosed. World Wrestling Entertainment posted condolences to Bill Dundee's family, friends, and fans on X following the announcement.

Jamie Dundee shared personal sentiments regarding his father's passing in the social media statement. "Rest in peace superstar," Jamie Dundee wrote. He added, "I love you Dad. [I'll] catch you on the [other side]."

Bill Dundee is survived by his son, Jamie Dundee. The younger Dundee is an Australian-American professional wrestler who has been public about his father's health challenges in recent years.

Earlier in 2025, Bill Dundee appeared in a Facebook video with Jerry Lawler thanking fans for "never letting Memphis wrestling die." Jerry Lawler is an American professional wrestler and color commentator who had a long history with Dundee both as a rival and a partner.

Bill Dundee was born William Cruickshanks in Scotland in 1943. He was born in Angus, Scotland, and was raised in Australia. Before entering the wrestling ring, Bill Dundee worked as a circus trapeze artist.

Bill Dundee arrived in Memphis in 1974, establishing himself as a central figure in the territory. He stood 5-foot-7 tall and became known for his technical ability and charisma. In 1977, Bill Dundee defeated Jerry Lawler at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis. Bill Dundee won $2,000 from Jerry Lawler in their 1977 match.

The two wrestlers developed a complex relationship that included tag-team success. Bill Dundee and Jerry Lawler captured six regional and world tag-team titles together. Bill Dundee and Jerry Lawler won the AWA World Tag Team Championship twice in October 1987. Bill Dundee won 14 AWA Southern Tag Team Championships, including multiple reigns with Jerry Lawler, according to his Wikipedia page.

Beyond tag-team competition, Bill Dundee held numerous singles titles. He won the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship nine times. Dundee held the CWA International Heavyweight Championship four times, as documented in his Wikipedia career shows.

Bill Dundee worked as a booker in Memphis and other wrestling territories. Dundee worked as a booker for Memphis, Louisiana, and Georgia territories, per his Wikipedia biography. His influence extended beyond the ring into the operational side of the business.

In 1986, Dundee briefly wrestled for NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions, teaming with Jimmy Garvin and feuding with Sam Houston for the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship. Bill Dundee appeared on national television for World Championship Wrestling during the 1990s. Bill Dundee appeared in WCW as Sir William, the manager of Steven Regal.

Dundee's family connections extended into the wider wrestling world. Dundee's daughter Donna was married to wrestler Bobby Eaton until her death in 2021, as noted in his Wikipedia profile.

Why It Matters

Bill Dundee's death marks the loss of a foundational figure in Memphis wrestling history. His career spanned decades and included work as a performer, booker, and mentor. The public nature of his final appearance and the subsequent announcement by his son reflect the close-knit nature of the regional wrestling community.

The disclosure of his dementia diagnosis in 2023 provided context for his reduced public activity in recent years. The lack of a disclosed cause of death leaves the specific circumstances private. His legacy includes championship victories, influential booking decisions, and a lasting impact on the careers of wrestlers who followed him in the Memphis territory.

Timeline

Bill Dundee arrived in Memphis in 1974.

Bill Dundee was inducted into the Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2017. Bill Dundee's final wrestling bout occurred on December 14, 2019. Jamie Dundee revealed in 2023 that his father was living with stage three dementia.

What's New

According to his Wikipedia page, Bill Dundee won 14 AWA Southern Tag Team Championships, including multiple reigns with Jerry Lawler.

There is no public information connecting Bill Dundee's dementia diagnosis to his death.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the details of Bill Dundee's recent public appearances. The primary source, and Bill Dundee appeared in a Facebook video with Jerry Lawler earlier in 2025 thanking fans for "never letting Memphis wrestling die." F4wonline.com reports that Bill Dundee made his final televised appearance on the September 5 episode of Memphis Wrestling at the WrestleCenter.

Sources also present different information regarding his honors. The primary source,, and Bill Dundee was inducted into the Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2017. F4wonline.com focuses on his final televised appearance on the September 5 episode of Memphis Wrestling at the WrestleCenter.