Leon “Vader” White dead at age 63

By Jason Powell, Prowrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

Leon White died on Monday at age 63. Best known for his runs as Big Van Vader and simply Vader, White battled heart issues in recent years. Jesse White noted on Twitter that his father had been battling pneumonia. “He fought extremely hard and clinically was making progress,” Jesse White wrote. “Unfortunately, on Monday night his heart had enough and it was his time.”

Powell’s POV: White is among the best big men in the history of the pro wrestling industry. He had runs with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Japan, as well as the WCW Championship. I first saw him work as Leon “Baby Bull” White in the AWA and it was a treat to follow his career over the years. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fans.


NEW: Help support Prowrestling.net when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at Prowrestling.net/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.

WE VALUE YOUR PRIVACY

Readers Comments (6)

  1. Another one Vince should have had in the HOF before this. Now they have to do it posthumously.

    • Gotta love those “guilt” inductions. Thank god Owen Hart’s wife won’t allow it for him.

      • Going to be an interesting next few HOF’s with people like Bulldog, Vader, Lex Luger, Ksmala, Chyna, Pillman, Koloff, Brody and other broken or dead stars that stand out like sore thumbs for their lack of inclusion.

      • So owen doesn’t DESERVE to be in thei (actually non-existent) hall of fame, it would just be a “gult” induction. Man, you also believe we never really have walked on the moon, don’t ya….

        • It’s spelled GUILT, first of all. And second of all, if Owen was still alive today, guarantee you he wouldn’t be inducted yet because he would’ve been outshadowed by his brother’s success. I never said he didn’t deserve it, ballbag.

    • Reality, I have to admit, its impossible to get to every person who should be inducted before they die….it happens.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.