Gary Richard Williams
Posted: Mar 20th 2008 By: mikeiles
EULESS, Texas (AP) ? Gary Richard Williams, better known as pro wrestler and manager Playboy Gary Hart, died Sunday. He was 66.
Williams, of Euless, died of heart disease in a Bedford hospital, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner's office.
World Wrestling Entertainment credits Williams with propelling wrestling to international heights by establishing a rivalry between famed Texas wrestling family the Von Erichs and the Fabulous Freebirds.
Born in Evansville, Ind., Williams' career spanned four decades. He began wrestling in the 1960s in Illinois and Wisconsin, according to World Wrestling Entertainment. He went on to manage Bruiser Brody, Abdullah the Butcher, Gentleman Chris Adams and others, the WWE said.
Williams met his wife, Gloria, after a match in the Fort Worth Stockyards. The best man at their 1968 wedding was the masked wrestler known as The Spoiler, said Gloria Williams, of Crowley.
Supplemental Information
Latest News
Former pro wrestling champion and Columbus gym owner Jerry Oates dies
Jerry Oates, a former professional wrestler who helped folks in Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley... Read More
Grappling With Tragedy: Jean ‘Black Venus’ Kirkland
Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred ... Read More
AJ Styles on retirement, matches with Cena and Gunther, his son, and more
AJ Styles sat down with Chris Van Vliet in Nashville, Tennessee to discuss his retirement match w... Read More
- Ethan Page talks NXT, move to main roster, working with Chelsea Green, The Rock, and more
- WWE SmackDown Comes to OKC: Royce Keys talks Royal Rumble debut
- Jeff Jarrett talks relationship with Dixie Carter, Dark Side of the Ring, TNA, and more
- Carlito talks departing WWE, time in Judgment Day, Bron Breakker spear, and more
Polling Booth
Why didn't you vote in the Oklafan Year End Polls?