The passing of Dr. Death Steve Williams was a sad end note to 2009.
Jim Ross was friends with Williams for decades, and had some touching thoughts on his life and legacy.
Ross said – as strong as Doc was, as quick as he was, and as generally athletic as he was, he had a heart of gold and was blessed with a kind, gentle spirit and a loving heart.
On the controversial participation in the WCW Oklahoma storyline:
Doc did the same role in WCW with Ed Ferrera playing “Oklahoma” and many fans have asked me if I was ever angry at Steve for this portrayal. Not no, but Hell no, as he was doing his job for which he was booked. Steve, like me, was old school and old school guys most generally do as they are instructed/booked no matter if they like it or not. I can give you a list of several things that I have done in wrestling that I did not like but that I did anyway because that was simply my job. (Some folks have condemned me for some of these TV moments and have called me a “sellout” which is also laughable.) Steve was doing his job for which he was hired on to do and paid for his services. Plain and simple.
He also commented on the rumors that he punished Bart Gunn for beating Dr. Death in the shoot-based “Brawl For All”
Folk lore has it that as the head of talent that I “penalized” Bart Gunn for him simply doing his job and disposing of his opponent, in this case Doc, which is so ridiculous that it’s laughable. Bart’s creative burial was not a talent relations issue.
