From Dean - WINS Wrestling Club

Bill gave such excitement to the wrestling world. He gave opportunities to guys that most likely wouldn't even of thought about wrestling and even going one step further, wrestling on video.

At the WINS wrestling club we were looking to put out a video of some of the members wrestling. A lot of the members didnt want to show their face, so Bill volunteered, bought a Luchador mask and sent it to the club without even asking for a thing. This gave a lot of wrestlers a chance to wrestle on tape that wouldn't of had that opportunity.

Bill, sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you on my trip to California, and it will always be my lost and something I can't get back, but I can keep wrestling to keep the sport alive in your name.

Thanks for all that you have done and you shall be missed.

Thanks Dean, WINS wrestling club, President.

From Bob Starr

I was one of the first to hear about Bill's passing, hearing on March 11.

Bill was one of the very first people I met when I moved to California from Buffalo, NY. He taught me the "ins and outs" of the wrestling game.

I could never repay him for his friendship and teachings.

He was a great man with an undying spirit. A giving man, always helping others in one way or another.

Bill, I will miss you.

I will personally make sure that the love for this great sport will never die.

Through you and your help, many men now enjoy the great sport of wrestling in one form or another.

Thanks for being a big part of my life......

THE CRIPPLER......

From Bob M.

I was sorry to hear the news about Bill.

He was always great about letting me use his mats, and even lining up opponents for me on trips to Long Beach.

He was a very giving person.

Bob M.

From Peter Richards

To my Welsh/American Wrestling Buddy:

Cadw yn ymdrechu.

I mewn Celi.

Cheers

Peter

From Abdul - (Arabian Rex aka ArabianGrappler)

Bill is an amazing guy,

I was always into wrestling but I never got a chance to do it.

One day I decided to post an ad on a wrestling website and Bill was the 1st guy to contact me, we chatted for a while and i got to meet him in sep 2003 , he coached me and taught me a lot, we wrestled many times and he set up many matchs for me with other great guys.

I'll always remember him and will always pray for him...

From Dave White

It's almost impossible to comprehend that Bill has died.

My friendship with him goes back almost 20 years. He was one of those people who was always bursting with life.

I've never known anyone else who offered more support, encouragement and training to as many wrestlers and to people who wanted to be wrestlers.

I worked for an indy promotion and for the NWA in Atlanta in the late 70's and early 80's.

After I got out of the business he was the only knowledgeable person with whom I could discuss the days of old school wrestling. Our conversations were like a lifeline for me when I was working at jobs that paid more a lot more than wrestling but which were never anywhere near as interesting or as fun.

I will always be grateful for his patience when I kept bugging him for stories about how he got into pro wrestling in Britain and his early days in the business.

Bill had a huge impact on the wrestling world, but he was also a successful businessman, a lover of opera, a protector of animals, a connoisseur of fine silversmith work, a philanthropist who provided major support for medical and AIDS charities and much more.

He loved America because of all the opportunities it provided for someone with his talent and drive. But he was born a Welshman. St. David is the patron saint of Wales and St. David's feast day is March 1. I always emailed Bill on March 1 to wish him a happy St. David's day and I would always get one of his delightful, news-filled, wrestling-drenched emails in return.

But I hadn't heard back from him this year and now I know why.

I am grateful to Gary at Vangar for informing us of Bill's passing and providing a link to this blog where we can share our memories of him.

From Bryan - (Monster Man)

Im blown away ive been training hard to meet bill to wrestle him etc later in may, im so shocked with this news, im shaking...

Bill and i had been friends on the net etc for some time, and to me as a young wrestler/bodybuilder, he has been my total insperation.

He is going to be so missed by this news of his passing from gay and st8 wrestlers world wide, and by me that is fact.

may peace fall beside you bill, from a young guy who trully looked up to you....bryan

From Neil Comerford

When I lived in California I wrestled several times with Bill in his basement on Gaviota Street, a a dimly lighted, quiet and cool, spacious and private confine in which to carry on, dank smells mixed with sweat.

I used to wrestle him wearing my "rasslin' speedos" (akin to old&favored jeans, the material eventually disintegrated) and Bill's loaned Pony boxing shoes.

It is fun not worrying about one's noise quotient, and to be able to clench, groan, crank and roll for several hours, in an unfettered manner.

Plus, his "tips" for foiling your opponents/partners, such as using your five o'clock shadow to discomfort a hold (Never shave before a match, Mate). Bill admitted liking his head trapped in my thighs while I locked one of his arms (a "resting" maneuver), and he could put me away at will.

But one of my best moments on mats with him was throwing him off me, one time, when he had me trapped in a pin. 'Surprised us both.

The volume of heartfelt reminisences are his tribute. What is lovely never dies, but passes in to other loveliness.

I had IM'd with him recently, but was not aware of an illness, nor were we in regular contact.

I'm curious to know what facilitated his demise.

It certainly cannot encumber Bill Hughe's spirit.

From Gary Smith - Huddersfield, UK

Met Bill some 17 years or so ago and had a great week staying with him.

Wrestling in his ring in the gym, seeing who could alter who's face the most.

Bill, ya still ugly, but you would not have it any other way.

You enjoyed the cauliflower club (ex pro wrestlers) and coming away year in with the title of the ugliest wrestler!

When people asked is wrestling fake? You said "does this face look as though its fake?"

When people asked did you win most your matches? You said " does this face look like I won?"

A great wrestler, even greater guy and a great friend too - well being a Brit, what would you expect?

Bill hope to see you in the big wrestlers hall of fame someday again.

Thanks for having me on your website as a friend and student, plus pic's of us wrestling and me wrestling your friends too.

The wrestling halls now will be very quiet without your grunts and groans mate.

Gary Smith (Master-Gladiator) Huddersfield UK.

From IJT - Funmuscleboy

ECCLESIASTES 3rd chapter verses 1 and 2:

1. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

"MR BILL "IRON CROSS" HUGHES"

MR BILL "IRON CROSS" HUGHES you are someone special to me with so many great characteristic!

MR BILL "IRON CROSS" HUGHES you had a heart for people!

MR BILL "IRON CROSS" HUGHES you are definitely that special rose that wore the blooms of many colors!

I say that to you MR BILL "IRON CROSS" HUGHES, because you are one of the few earthly human being, I ever met that really had a heart to fulfill all colors of a "ROSE"!

1ST you fulfilled the color of red, Because
You definitely had LOVE, RESPECT, AND COURAGE!

2ND you fulfilled the color of Yellow, Because
You definitely had JOY, GLADNESS, AND FREEDOM!

3RD you fulfilled the colors of Pink and Peach, Because
Your GRATITUDE, APPRECIATION, ADMIRATION, AND SYMPATHY was so awesome!

4TH you fulfilled the color of White, Because of your
REVERENCE, PURITY, AND SECRECY!

5TH and last, you fulfilled red and white roses together, Because you had
unity for all "WRESTLERS!"

IN MEMORIES OF MR BILL "IRON CROSS" HUGHES! WE MISS YOU!

From Steve - USA

I first met Bill Hughes on the Internet as many have.

I was new in the Pro Wrestling business having just started a Pro Wrestling School and Promotion.

I sent Bill some tapes of our show that he raved about, he encouraged me to continue and was aways supportive with advice from his years in the business.

Bill kept inviting me to come wrestle at his place in Long Beach, a few years ago I took him up on the offer along with another pro fanatic from Southern California.

Bill was one of the most excited loud fans I have wrestled in front of a real one man gang. As we worked on the mat his attention never wavered.

Bill was a good man and a good friend he will be missed, some times I guess you just can't kick out.

From Doug Warren

Having wrestled for BG Enterprise and BG EAST - I "cut my wrestling teeth" learning from Bill Hughes. Many of my earliest days in this endeavor of mine with the character "Doug Warren" were spent in his ring - learning from "His Emminence" - Bill Hughes.

I remember when he totally convinced me that he could indeed "put me out" in a sleeper - and of course he did. He worked with me over and over in the ring - always eager to show the rookie (at that time) the ropes. He was kind - genuine - a true gentleman - but what a force in the ring he was.

I am glad that I stayed in touch with him through the years. His emails were always a treat to receive.

When I think of him now - I can hear him say - as I heard him say before while working in the ring with a hold he approved of -----------

AWESOME - BLOODY AWESOME!!!!!

Good memories

Doug Warren

From Ken Thomas

Bye Bill, I'm really going to miss you.

Thank you for your generosity and friendship these last 5 years.

I'll see you on the mat in Heaven and it will be just like old times...

From Pascal - France

I join everybody about what is said about Bill "ironcross" Hughes.

I never met him nor wrestled him but had the opportunity to chat with him and exchange some pics with him.

I regret not to be able to wrestle him. He told me about his career in pro wrestling and chatted about some of his students and his love of pro wrestling.

Au revoir Bill.
Pascal

From Jamey - Indiana

I met Bill in 1998. A gracious host, a marvelous conversationalist, and a true friend from the moment he met you.

I had the honor of seeing him on a few business trips between 1998 - 2002 to the LA/Long Beach area.

He always had a welcome mat at his door. Through Bill and the famous dungeon I got to meet the infamous Barrio Bruiser (Rudy) and his tag team partner Aaron and several others.

His stories were enchanting and informative and I always felt like He had forgotten more than I could ever know. He has achieved what all men desire...to leave a legacy.

There are many that will carry on and pass on what Bill taught them to others who will never know Bill the man, but will know what he taught and that is what a legend is made of.

Long live the Legend of Ironcross

From Gilles - Paris, France

Bill HUGHES, the godfather of the ring, has passed away; I discovered the bad news in other wrestling yahoo groups.

I remember his kindness, his incredible face, his Rolls, his dogs, his huge collection of silver plates, his great talent on his ring and his friendly californian welcome.

Bye Bill.

Bill Hughes, le parrain du ring, comme il s' appelaitlui-même, vient de mourir comme l' annoncent divers groupes sur yahoo.

Je me souviens de sa trogne incroyable, de sa gentillesse, de sa meute de pitbulls, de sa vieille Rolls, de son immense collection de plats d' argent,de son talentueux métier du ring et de son accueil californien.

Au revoir Bill.

GILLES from Paris

From Brian - Manchester, UK

R.I.P. Bill, will miss you loads,thanks for all the wrestling action you gave us all,love u mate, c u when i get up there too, lots of love from BRIAN, (BULLYBOYBRUISER) and all the gang in Manchester u.k.

From Jimmy Duling

I am honored to have been mates with this generous, lovable man these last 16 years.

I'm so sad to learn of his passing. Seemed he'd always be around.

He was once a neighbor of mine. He brought me out of my wrestling shell, calling me over to wrestle he and his fellows weekly. He was such a card!

His love of animals touched my heart. He rescued so many.

This was a truly humble man, and I thank God for him.

From Rudy Chavez

For those who do remember the old Seaside Gym, that is where I first met this remarkable man.

It was in 1985 and wednesday evenings were open for guys to head over to Bill's gym, complete with ring, showers and dressing rooms!

It was a great place to meet others who shared the same interest and to learn from this man of how to take one hold and do different variations of it.

Never without his cigar and bag of money, he had a story of the good ol days of pro rasslin!

Gonna miss The Godfather Of Wrestling, Rudy aka Barrio Bruiser

For every action, there's a reaction.Be fair in your dealings with others!

From Mark Lopez

Wrestling Community,I am deeply saddened by the loss of this "icon" of the wrestling world.

My thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, his wrestling family and all his adoring friends.

I had the distinct honor in 2004 of meeting Bill and getting to wrestle him. He was a lot of fun and a tough competitor. His love for the sport and his wrestling talents will be greatly missed.His Wrestling Comrade,Mark Lopez

From Mark W - Los Angeles, CA

With the passing of our dear friend, comrade and teacher, I have learned a new definition of the word "generosity":

Bill Hughes. What's beem washing over me today is such a deeper awareness and sincere appreciation for what it means to unconditionally share your life’s passion with someone, regardless of who they are, where they live, where they've been and where they are going...

Someone said, "Bill would wrestle anybody..." More importantly, Bill gave of his time, his wisdom and his knowledge to anyone who asked. I am a better wrestler for knowing Bill, and a much better man.

Thanks, Bill...for all you have done for the countless number of men whose talents and dreams you nurtured along the way. I have never meant it more when I say, "We couldn't have done it without ya". RIP.

From Alan - Auckland, New Zealand

Just found out about Bill and am so gutted. I only got to meet him the once back in 1999 but have stayed in touch through the years, with the promise of a re-match always on the cards.

I contacted him before my arrival in LA from a round-the-world trip. LA was my last stop after a year of travelling. At this point I was completely skint, but Bill offered to put me up in his houseboat within 10 minutes of meeting.

We shared quite a bit of time together during my stay, had some wrestles, met some great mates of his like Aaron and generally had a laugh.Over the years he would still send me heaps of pictures and we emailed frequently. Had always promised I would meet up when I got back to LA, but that will never happen now.Great guy, great wrestler.

You will be sorely missed

From Gene Dermody - San Francisco

I met Bill in the '70s on my first trip to California.

I was still a cocky closet case NJ wrestler, intrigued by what was going on in SoCal.

I met up with some guys like John Thayer at Bill's, and we wrestled in the ring. I was impressed with everyone.

We then went back to Bill's home to experience his unique generosity & 'charm'.

Here was this rough & tumble wrestler with the califlower ears being as erudite and cultured as anyone I had ever met. There was no subject that he was not prepared to discuss with passion.

If he could somehow be this confident & self assured, being so 'Out' before the word was even invented, then what was I so uptight about?

Bill was a role model, ahead of his time in showing many of us how to be both MEN and GAY without the silly PC baggage.

In short, Bill gave me my first set of political BALLS.

I will miss him and his quirkiness.

"Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality that guarantees all the others." - Sir Winston Churchill

From Mike Kelly - UK

A Welshman made an Englishman cry this morning.

When I heard the news that my mate Bill Hughes had passed away, I shed tears.

The mate who had been so supportive.

The man who did not have a bad word to say about anyone and no one had a bad word to say about him.

The guy who had encouraged this non confident guy to wrestle and ALWAYS was upbeat and supportive.

Had been taken from us.

Then I thought...

We can't let his life pass without sharing the hundreds or even thousands of wonderful stories about him.

Let's celebrate Bill's life and let's hear all the stories about what a great mate he was to us all.

So it's over to you guys!