“Superstar” Bill Dundee, one of the biggest stars in Memphis wrestling history, died Sunday at age 82.
Dundee’s son, Jamie Dundee, announced his father’s death Sunday morning. Dundee died around 3:30 a.m. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Dundee had been dealing with dementia in recent years.
Born William Cruickshanks in Scotland on October 24, 1943, Dundee grew up in Australia. Before becoming a wrestler, he worked as a trapeze artist in a circus.
Dundee began wrestling in Australia in the 1960s before coming to the United States. He arrived in Memphis in 1974 and became one of the territory’s top stars.
He was closely associated with Jerry “The King” Lawler for much of his career. The two were partners at times and rivals at others, and their matches were a major part of Memphis wrestling during the territory era.
Dundee won the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship nine times and also held the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship. He worked with many of the biggest names who came through Memphis, including Jimmy Valiant.
His career also took him to other promotions. Dundee worked in Mid-South Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions and later appeared in World Championship Wrestling.
In WCW, he appeared as Sir William, the manager of Lord Steven Regal.
Dundee continued wrestling for decades after the end of the territory system. His final match came in 2019.
He also remained connected to Memphis wrestling late in his life. On Saturday, September 5, Memphis Wrestling aired a tribute to Dundee at the WrestleCenter. He died the following morning.
Dundee was inducted into the Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2017.
His son Jamie also became a professional wrestler and was best known as JC Ice of PG-13. Dundee’s daughter, Donna, was married to longtime wrestler Bobby Eaton until her death in 2021.
Dundee spent more than five decades connected to professional wrestling and was best known for the years he spent as one of Memphis wrestling’s top names.