"Dr. Death" Steve Williams, 1960-2009. R.I.P.

Former professional wrestler "Dr. Death" Steve Williams has died. He was 49.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Williams death was not as a result of steroid use. Williams was diagnosed with throat cancer five years ago but made a recovery sufficient enough to return to the ring. He formally retired earlier this year.

Williams only had a limited association with the WWE but was one of the most successful American wrestlers in Japan. I remember him best with Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation (originally known as the Mid-South Wrestling) in the mid-1980s. Williams was one of those big men you never thought anyone could knock down. But the bell tolls for all of us sooner or later.