In a Wednesday, Sept. 23 Instagram Stories post<\/a>, the Paramore bandleader wrote a tribute to the late New Found Glory guitarist and co-founder after he died on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 45<\/a> from a years-long cancer journey.<\/p>\n “Have not known what to say or if it’s appropriate,” Williams, 37, began the post. “But I feel sure now that I want to bc life is made of the paths we cross and the reasons we cross them are infinite.”<\/p>\n She continued: “Chad is indeed a legend in the scene and my time connected to him taught me a lot. He introduced me to people that continue to shape my life in beautiful ways, and to music and culture that has made life a lot richer.”<\/p>\n Williams noted that “there isn’t much that hasn’t already been said about what he contributed to the musical world a lot of us grew up in.”<\/p>\n “His influence and attitude guided the genre forward,” she wrote. “His passion for fostering the community was inspiring and sticks with me.<\/p>\n Williams added: “I will forever be grateful that from him I gained a deeper understanding and a reverence for the community and the culture of hardcore.”<\/p>\n Hayley Williams on Instagram The “Mirtazapine” singer concluded the post by “sending love and my sympathies” to his family, New Found Glory and his friends.<\/p>\n Williams and Gilbert began dating in 2008, and became engaged when the guitarist proposed on Christmas 2014.<\/p>\n The former couple married in February 2016<\/a> after nearly eight years together and over a year of being engaged.<\/p>\n Williams and Gilbert announced their split<\/a> in 2017, and it was finalized later that year.<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/p>\n Gilbert’s New Found Glory bandmates and wife, Lisa Cimorelli, announced his death on Sept. 20, the same day he died.<\/p>\n Since 2021, the rocker had been undergoing treatment<\/a> for cancer and had just returned to the stage<\/a> three months earlier following an emergency brain cancer surgery<\/a>.<\/p>\n “On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep,” Cimorelli, 33, and the rockers wrote on social media<\/a>. “He left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, just as he wished.”<\/p>\n They continued, “We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went. The amount of visitors that crowded the hospital lobby at a moment’s notice is a testament to how beloved and cherished Chad was, and always will be. He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true.”<\/p>\n Chad Gilbert and Hayley Williams in January 2010 in Los Angeles<\/p>\n “On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep,” Cimorelli, 33, and the rockers wrote on social media<\/a>. “He left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, just as he wished.”<\/p>\n They continued, “We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went. The amount of visitors that crowded the hospital lobby at a moment’s notice is a testament to how beloved and cherished Chad was, and always will be. He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true.”<\/p>\n Read the original article on People<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Hayley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/1c9a752906236f648287268a9d9b28a4.jpg\"\/)
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Credit: Hayley Williams\/Instagram<\/p>\n![\"Chad](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/72812e6d5297698f329e3e4acd7f9ac1.jpg\"\/)
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