Former NWA Junior Heavyweight champion Les Thornton has passed away at the age of 84.

The news first broke on Facebook, where his wife Terry wrote the following (via Slam Sports): "It is with great sadness we share that Les Thornton peacefully took his leave on February 1, 2019 at 11:15 am, with his devoted wife, Terry at his side."

Born in Manchester, England, Thornton entered professional wrestling in 1957 and at one point trained in Billy Robinson’s Snake Pit, where he learned technical wrestling and submissions. He traveled to the United States in 1970 and won the NWA Junior Heavyweight championship on six occasions between 1980 and 1983.

In 1984, he was one of only a handful of people that joined the WWE when they purchased Georgia Championship Wrestling. He was used primarily as a jobber, but was also a part of coordinating their house shows in the Middle East.

He retired in 1990 and had been living in Canada running a gym prior to his death.

The Facebook post further said: "In honour of Les' wishes there will be no funeral service. Instead, those wishing to pay respects are invited to make a donation to the Calgary Humane Society."