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Bushwhacker Butch passes away at 78 years old

Posted: Apr 4th 2023 By: Josh Nason

WWE Hall of Famer Bushwhacker Butch (Bob Miller) has passed away at the age of 78.

His longtime tag team partner of 50 years, Luke Williams (Bushwhacker Luke), announced the news Monday on Facebook, saying he passed away last night.

PWInsider had reported last week that Miller had flown to the U.S. from New Zealand and had a medical episode shortly after arriving in Los Angeles and was rushed to the hospital. It's unknown what the issue was, but a GoFundMe to help the family with medical bills has been established.

He leaves behind his wife, Helen, two daughters and grandchildren.

Miller and Williams were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015.

First starting as The Kiwis, Miller and Williams worked in New Zealand, Australia, Japan and other nearby countries, the two eventually made their way to North America, making appearances for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling.

In the late 70s, they became the New Zealand Sheepherders and worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, Pacific Northwest Wrestling under Don Owen, and Carlos Colon's World Wrestling Council.

Miller moved home to New Zealand in 1981 to be closer to his family and Williams teamed with Jonathan Boyd to create the New Sheepherders -- a more violent version of the duo. Miller reunited with Williams several years and continued to work in Memphis, the WWC and UWF before Vince McMahon came calling in 1988.

While never winning the WWF Tag Team titles, the renamed Bushwhackers became more of a comedy team and lasted there until 1996. After wrapping up there, they worked indie shows until Miller retired in 2001 due to a neck injury with Williams retiring the next year.