Paul Bearer, or William Moody, died at age 58. 

The WWE released a statement on their website saying they were "saddened to learn of the passing of William Moody, aka Paul Bearer." Bearer made his WWE debut in 1991 when the company was still called the WWF.

The WWE added, "Our deepest condolences go out to Moody's family, friends and fans."

There is no information on the cause of death.

He appeared on the scene of what would be a 20-year career as the manager to the Undertaker, another superstar who would become an icon with the company. The pair would create and air of mystery and fear as they walked to the ring.

Bearer would wear a black suit and carry an urn as he walked the so-called "dead man" to the ring.  The story line was that Paul Bearer was the father of the Undertaker and his masked brother Kane.

Under the influence of their "father" The Brothers of Destruction cut a path to victory through various members of the WWE roster. The Undertaker would go on to achieve a 20 and 0 winning streak at the world series of wrestling, Wrestlemaina.

On Paul Bearer's bio page on WWE.com the company refers to him as, "Both chilling and intriguing the WWE Universe with his memorably macabre persona, Bearer will always be recognized as one of WWE's defining managers and an integral part of The Undertaker's legendary mythology."

Fans went on the WWE's Facebook page to pay tribute to one of the superstars that helped define a generation.

Shauna Silva writes, "RIP Paul Bearer...so sad that he's gone."

Paul Relihan says, "RIP. Grew up watching him manage Undertaker and Kane."

Eddie Yates touchingly posted, "RIP Paul. You will ne missed. You and the Undertaker are why I got into wrestling, I hope you are peace. RIP."

Paul Bearer made what would be his last WWE appearance in 2010.