Former Every Time I Die guitarist and professional wrestler Andy Williams has died, aged 48.
Williams who wrestled professionally as ‘The Butcher’, passed away after collapsing after a wrestling event in Pennsylvania last night (September 5).
He had just competed in a tag-team match with his wrestling partner Jesse ‘The Blade’ Guilmette at an Enjoy Wrestling event at Mr. Small’s Theater in Millvale, Pennsylvania when he collapsed, according to Consequence.
Williams was given CPR at the venue and taken to a local hospital, where he later passed away. TMZ confirmed his death via the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The guitarist was a founding member of Every Time I Die in 1998 and he remained with them until they split up in 2022.
He appeared on all nine of the band’s studio albums, including their final LP, 2021’s ‘Radical’. Following their split, Williams went on to form the band Atomic Rule while fellow ETID members Jordan Buckley, Steve Micciche and Clayton ‘Goose’ Holyoak, formed Better Lovers.
A host of tributes poured in for Williams in the wake of his death with Better Lovers among those, writing on Instagram: “A true 1 of 1 human being in every aspect of life. How lucky we and everyone he crossed paths with were to have known or shared any type moment/s with him, big or small. There will never be another Andy Williams.”
All Elite Wresting wrote on X: “All Elite Wrestling is saddened to learn of the passing of Andy Williams, aka The Butcher. A trailblazing musician with ETID and Atomic Rule, Williams made a successful transition into the world of professional wrestling and was incredibly respected by his peers both in and out of the ring. Our condolences go out to Williams’ family, friends and fans.”
All Elite Wrestling is saddened to learn of the passing of Andy Williams, aka The Butcher. A trailblazing musician with ETID and Atomic Rule, Williams made a successful transition into the world of professional wrestling and was incredibly respected by his peers both in and out… pic.twitter.com/FZ5WhSGsFl
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 6, 2026
Fellow wrestler Josh Alexander added: “He was one of the best people I ever met. Everytime we spoke I left the conversation better for it. I’ll remember Andy for what he was. A dude with an enormous heart that could always put a smile on my face. Rest in Peace brother.”
Andy Williams was a musician and wrestler.
He was one of the best people I ever met. Everytime we spoke I left the conversation better for it.
I’ll remember Andy for what he was. A dude with an enormous heart that could always put a smile on my face.
Rest in Peace brother.
♥️ pic.twitter.com/OHyhcDbJug— Josh Alexander (@Walking_Weapon) September 6, 2026
Knotfest, the music festival created by Slipknot, also paid their respects. They wrote: “Gone too soon. Though he will be remembered by most for his guitar playing in the underrated but iconically influential Every Time I Die and his spanning wrestling career, Andy Williams was a warm and beloved presence in every space he occupied.”
Andy Williams has passed away.
Gone too soon. Though he will be remembered by most for his guitar playing in the underrated but iconically influential Every Time I Die and his spanning wrestling career, Andy Williams was a warm and beloved presence in every space he occupied. pic.twitter.com/bQM7jqpqjy
— KNOTFEST (@KNOTFEST) September 6, 2026
Ahead of his wrestling match, Williams posted a message on Instagram saying he was “stoked” that the band just finished writing new music and tracking the songs for demos.
“Update of the work we’ve been putting in! So stoked to share all this with you! We feel like we’ve finally found our feet planted to this beautiful earth and now we’re running full speed!” he wrote at the time.
