Rock Sound is sad to report that guitarist Andy Williams has passed away at the age of 48.
Williams was a founding member of Every Time I Die, alongside guitarist Jordan Buckley and original drummer Michael Novak, playing on each of the group’s nine studio albums, from 2001’s ‘First Night In Town’ through to 2021’s ‘Radical’, until their disbanding in 2022. Most recently, he played in metalcore group Atomic Rule, releasing two 3-track EPs in 2025, alongside a career in wrestling, appearing in AEW as ‘The Butcher’ in a tag-team duo alongside Jesse ‘The Blade’ Guilmette.
Multiple news outlets reported that he experienced a medical emergency during an ‘Enjoy Wrestling’ match in Millvale, Pennsylvania on Saturday night (September 05) and was rushed to hospital. TMZ then reported that Williams had passed away, whilst Enjoy Wrestling added to their report of last night’s incident simply stating ‘Butcher Forever’.
Tributes have appeared from Josh Scogin, ’68 guitarist and longtime friend and touring partner of Andy, sharing “Andy was larger than life in everything he did. Music, wrestling, friendship, etc. He always went big”, whilst AEW wrestler Josh Alexander has said “I’ll remember Andy for what he was. A dude with an enormous heart that could always put a smile on my face.”
Steve Kaye, who represented Andy’s wrestling career via his agency Paragon Talent Group, paid his own tribute, stating, “Every phone call ended with him reminding me to take care of myself and give myself some grace. So today, I pray that Andy receives that same grace as he crosses to the next stage”.
Our thoughts are with Williams’ friends and family at this time.
🚨 launching 30'ish days of warped 🚨 starts this friday, 1/30 🙂↕️ listen to our girl @torikravitz chat about how this month(ish) will roll out and what surprises we have in store 4 u 🫵
i don’t feel threatened by AI. a machine can’t make the music i make. ronnie radke and spencer charnas should be terrified though, they’ll be the first to go when AI starts replacing artists
ICYMI: 1/2 of @midibunnyband is a pedophile! They have been doing everything they can to sweep these allegations under the rug, and its important to NOT let that happen! @stomachbook66 featured their song and hasnt said anything! Do not let Cecily Renns get away with this!