William Lee Rausch (September 10, 1964 – June 23, 2023) was an American drummer who played in several thrash metal bands based in California from 1983 to 1987. He used to be the drummer at a church in Indian Lake, Ohio. The former MEGADETH drummer passed away on Friday, June 23, 2023. No cause of death has been revealed. He was reportedly 58 years old.
Rausch’s career began in 1983 when former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine formed his own band called Megadeth. After trying several drummers, Rausch was hired. In 1984, Megadeth recorded its first demo, Last Rites, consisting of three tracks; the lineup on the demo was Mustaine, bassist David Ellefson and Rausch. The next Megadeth lineup played live, and consisted of Rausch, Mustaine, Kerry King and David Ellefson. In the same year, Rausch left the group due to internal conflict and was replaced by Gar Samuelson.
After leaving Megadeth in 1984, Rausch played for another noteworthy thrash metal band in the region, Dark Angel. He played live shows with the band but never recorded anything official with them during his tenure.
In 1986, Rausch joined the group of guitarist Michelle Meldrum, Wargod, replacing Gene Hoglan who had just left the band to join Dark Angel. With Wargod, Rausch recorded a demo that year, but the group split in 1987. Rausch was no longer part of a band, but continued to play from time to time locally in northwestern Ohio.
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