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How did Bushwhacker Butch die? WWE Hall of Famer, 78, was in ICU after arriving in LA for WrestleMania

'Late last night, I lost my friend, brother, and tag team partner of over 50 years,' said Butch's longtime partner Bushwhacker Luke

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Pro wrestling legend Bushwhacker Butch died at 78 after a brief illness, his longtime partner, Bushwhacker Luke, shared the tragic news on Monday afternoon, April 3. Butch, whose real name is Bob Miller, was in the ICU on Friday after arriving in Los Angeles for WrestleMania. 

Luke said it was a result of a "situation with medication" in an interview over the weekend. "He flew in from New Zealand on Wednesday, was all good. Friday morning, he was incognito." He paid tribute in a Facebook post on April 3. "Late last night, I lost my friend, brother, and tag team partner of over 50 years with the passing of Bob 'Butch' Miller," Luke wrote. 

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Bushwhacker Luke's emotional post

"My heart goes out to his wife Helen, his lovely daughters Sharon and Kirsten, and all of his grandchildren," Bushwhacker Luke wrote. He recalled how the Bushwhackers teamed up by adding, "This past weekend in Los Angeles, Bob flew in from New Zealand to join me for Wrestlemania weekend and the related festivities, neither of us knowing it would be our last days together and his last days of life." The post continued, "If you were to read the story of my life it would say that I am only child, but it would be wrong. In life I had a brother and his name was Bob Miller. I love you, Bob." Luke concluded the post by saying, "Until I see you again, WOOOOAHH YEEEEAAHH!"

Luke started a GoFundMe page to collect money for Butch after Miller fell ill last week. The funds will now be used to pay for the late wrestling legend's funeral, according to the fundraiser. Butch is survived by his wife, Helen, daughters, Sharon and Kirsten, and his grandchildren.

Butch's wrestling career

Butch started wrestling in New Zealand in 1964 and made his move to the United States shortly after. Alongside Luke, the Bushwhackers rose to prominence once they signed with the World Wrestling Federation in the late '80s. The Bushwhackers also worked in NWA. They also performed as The Kiwis and The Sheepherders after starting what would be a nearly 40-year career in the wrestling ring. The Bushwhackers won numerous regional tag team titles in the NWA.

In 2015, they were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 2020.

'Love you forever'

Iconic wrestler and WWE Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik tweeted, "BUSHWHACKER BUTCH I LOVE YOU FOREVER. RIP MY FRIEND YOU ALWAYS MAKE ME SMILE." ECW legend Tommy Dreamer said, "Sorry to hear the news of @WWE HOFer Bushwacker Butch passing. I was a massive Sheepherders fan. I was blessed to work w/Butch & Luke in #ECW."

Adam Pearce wrote, "Godspeed, Bushwhacker Butch Miller. Rest well, sir." Former WWE superstar, Alberto Del Rio tweeted, "Rest in peace Bushwhacker Butch Miller. An inspiration for tag team wrestling as we know it today. He traveled the world! From Puerto Rico to Mexico, to Australia… The Bushwhackers or Los Pastores de Nueva Zelanda… my condolences to @BushwhackerLuke and Butch’s family." Wrestler Hernandez tweeted, "Rest In Peace Bushwacker Butch Luke Williams, aka Bushwhacker Luke, announced today that Bob Miller, better known as Bushwhacker Butch, his longtime partner in The Sheepherders and The Bushwhackers, passed away today. He was 78 years old. His passing happened after Miller…"

Fans also reacted to the news of his death. One fan tweeted, "My sincere condolences to Butch's family and fans on their loss." Another wrote, "I didn't really care for the Bushwhacker gimmick, but these two before going to WWF were a lot like the Briscoes, just unlimited brutality." One user wrote, "So very sorry for the loss of Butch. They were my favorites growing up. My condolences to his whole family." "Horrible news, they were absolutely hilarious back in the day. Thanks for the memories!" wrote another one. 

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