WWE Manager Paul Bearer Dead At 58

The world of wrestling has lost yet another one of its stars.  William Alvin Moody, better known to wrestling fans as "Paul Bearer," the pale-face manager of the Undertaker, died Tuesday evening at the age of 58.  During his original 12-year run with what was then the World Wrestling Federation, Bearer guided the Undertaker during multiple WWF Championship reigns.  He also managed Kane during his first WWF title run as well as Mankind during his early days in the Federation.

Prior to his success in the WWF, Moody worked under the name "Percy Pringle, III" in several southern territories, including World Class Championship Wrestling and Florida Championship Wrestling, during the 1980s.  During that time, he managed a young Steve Austin and Mark Calaway--the man who would later become the Undertaker.  He also guided Rick Rude to the WCCW World Championship.

Art imitated life, as Moody was an actual mortician and funeral director.  He earned his license at the very beginning of his wrestling career and continued working in the funeral industry during and after his wrestling days.

Bearer was predeceased by his wife and is survived by two sons.

Here's a clip from 1991 of Moody as Paul Bearer during the Undertaker's feud with the Ultimate Warrior.