- The musician died on Monday morning after a years-long battle with ampullary cancer
- In December 2022, he was diagnosed with the rare disease, a cancer that forms in the digestive system
- He is known as the saxophonist of new wave bands, The Psychedelic Furs and The Waitresses
Mars Williams has died at the age of 68.
It was reported that the famed saxophonist died Monday morning from ampullary cancer – a rare disease he was diagnosed with about a year ago.
His family shared a statement saying he was “surrounded by family and friends” at the time of his death.
The musician was diagnosed with ampullary cancer in December 2022, as revealed by the GoFundMe set up by his family to help cover treatment costs.
His loved ones shared a statement on the same account to announce his tragic passing and to say that he had spent the past six weeks doing what he loved most: “hitting the road night after night” with The Psychedelic Furs.
RIP: Mars Williams passed away Monday morning at the age of 68 after a year-long battle with ampullary cancer
Ampullary cancer is a rare form of cancer that forms in an area of the digestive system called the ampulla of Vater, according to the Mayo Clinic.
He was best known as a member of the short-lived punk-new-wave band The Waitresses from 1980 to 1983.
He also played saxophone for The Psychedelic Furs for about six years in the ’80s before rejoining the group in 2005.
“Dear friends,” the statement began. “It is with great sadness that we send this message to let the many people who loved and supported Mars Williams know that he passed away earlier today after his long battle with cancer.”
His loved ones said that at the time of his death, Williams was “surrounded by family and friends, both personally and around the world, who held him close and loved him dearly.”
“To the end, Mars’ inexhaustible humor and energy, and his love of music, pushed him forward,” the post continued.
The statement also showed that during the summer
“When it became clear at the end of the summer that his treatment options were coming to an end, he chose to spend six weeks of the time he had left living the way he had done since he was a teenager: night after night.” going out at night with performances.’
Remembering Mars: His family shared a statement, saying he was ‘surrounded by family and friends’ at the time of his death
Talented saxophonist: He was best known as a member of the short-lived punk-new-wave band The Waitresses from 1980 to 1983. He also played saxophone for The Psychedelic Furs for about six years in the ’80s before rejoining the group. in 2005
“Those final performances with the Psychedelic Furs will live on with all the other incredible contributions Mars made as a person and as a musician, and that boundless energy will continue to inspire,” the statement read.
Williams’ family and friends also shared in the statement that they will be planning a celebration of life for Williams, “someone who was a hero to so many.”
According to the GoFundMe set up by the Williams family earlier this year, he was diagnosed with the rare form of cancer, ampullary cancer – “where a tumor develops near the bile duct and pancreas” – in late December 2022.
He underwent major surgery the following month and had to stay in hospital for three weeks to recover from the operation.
In March he began a six-month course of chemotherapy, which he completed in September.
“Despite these challenges, his attitude is completely optimistic, and he is tackling this like everything else in his life – head-on,” said the statement written earlier this year.