Leon White aka WWE wrestler Vader passed away on Monday of heart failure at just 63 years old.
His son Jesse White, confirmed the news on Twitter on Wednesday sharing a photo of his dad sitting next to a heavyweight wrestling championship belt. He captioned the photo, “It is with a heavy heart to inform everyone that my father, Leon White, passed away on Monday night (6/18/18) at approximately 7:25pm.”
It is with a heavy heart to inform everyone that my father, Leon White, passed away on Monday night (6/18/18) at approximately 7:25pm. pic.twitter.com/DYttSj7mk2
— Jesse White (@Mr_JesseWhite) June 20, 2018
Jesse posted a second tweet with another picture of Vader, which explained his death at a young age. “Around a month ago my father was diagnosed with a severe case of Pneumonia. He fought extremely hard and clinically was making progress. Unfortunately, on Monday night his heart had enough and it was his time.”
Around a month ago my father was diagnosed with a severe case of Pneumonia. He fought extremely hard and clinically was making progress. Unfortunately, on Monday night his heart had enough and it was his time. pic.twitter.com/H3Zn4HbwR8
— Jesse White (@Mr_JesseWhite) June 20, 2018
The WWE family reacted to the tragic loss of Vader. WWE star Sting wrote, “Loved working with Leon, loved the friendship I had with him for many years, and especially these last 8 months of his life. He will truly be missed.”
Mark Henry shared his thoughts for his family writing, “Lifting you and family up in prayer brother.”
Check out all the WWE family’s reactions to the loss below:
Only a handful truly revolutionize the business I love. This man was one of them. I grew up in awe of him and eventually admired him.
“No Pain!”#RIPBigVanVader 🖖🏼 pic.twitter.com/IVDvoktWgO— Scott Dawson (@ScottDawsonWWE) June 20, 2018
Lifting you and family up in prayer brother. pic.twitter.com/LOnmqGNTD5
— TheMarkHenry (@TheMarkHenry) June 20, 2018
Very sad to hear about the passing of Vader.Had the opportunity to share some time with him a couple years ago before coming to WWE. Happy I had the chance to meet him. Condolences to his family. #RIPVader
— Bobby Roode (@REALBobbyRoode) June 20, 2018
Leon White entertained (and intimidated) audiences all over the world with his size, strength, and agility. Saddened to hear of his passing and our thoughts are with his family at this time. #RIPVader pic.twitter.com/5jtryoSvpI
— Triple H (@TripleH) June 20, 2018
My prayers and thoughts go out to the family of Leon White aka Big Van Vader. RIP
— Curtis Axel (@RealCurtisAxel) June 20, 2018
Loved working with Leon, loved the friendship I had with him for many years, and especially these last 8 months of his life. He will truly be missed. pic.twitter.com/32cWMdH2yX
— Sting (@Sting) June 20, 2018
R.I.P Vader.. One of the Baddest Big Men in… https://t.co/8MNUyBbOEf
— Heath Slater (@HeathSlaterOMRB) June 20, 2018
One of the greatest big men to ever step in a ring. A true obstacle for our heroes to overcome.
RIP @itsvadertime
— Drake Maverick (@WWEMaverick) June 20, 2018
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