WWE Hall of Famer William Moody, known better to fans at Paul Bearer, the urn-carrying manager of the Undertaker and Kane, was a lot of exciting, yet wildly varied, things throughout his life. He was also a military veteran prior to his time as a prominent figure in the professional wrestling world. 

Bearer started his professional wrestling career as a ringside photographer in the 1970s, but left the industry to enlist in the Air Force after he graduated high school. He served from 1972 to 1976 and achieved the rank of sergeant at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. Bearer also received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal during his time in the service. Throughout his time in the Army, Bearer would wrestle for independent promotions in his off-duty hours.

Bearer left the Army and got his degree in mortuary science, with certifications as an embalmer and mortician, following the birth of his first son. He would return to the world of professional wrestling full time in 1984 and started managing he Undertaker when he joined the then-WWF in 1990. Bearer had an extensive, Hall of Fame career that ended officially in 2012 after his final storyline alongside Kane.