- Apr 1 D[ennis] F[eltham] Jones, sci-fi author (Colossus), dies at 65
- Apr 1 Eua Sunthornsanan, Thai singer, composer and bandleader, dies of cancer at 71
- Apr 2 Delfo Cabrera, Argentine distance runner (Olympic gold marathon 1948), dies in a car accident at 62
- Apr 3 Juan Trippe, American airline pioneer and entrepreneur (Pan Am founder), dies at 81
- Apr 3 Leo Kanner, Austrian-American psychiatrist and social activist known for his work related to autism, dies at 86
- Apr 4 Brad Johnson, actor (Annie Oakley), dies at 56
- Apr 5 Bob "Bear" Hite, rocker (Canned Heat), dies of a heart attack at 36
- Apr 5 Cornelis Verolme, Dutch ship builder, dies at 80
- Apr 6 Ray C. Bliss, American Republican party figure (Chairman Republican National Committee 1965-69), dies at 73
- Apr 7 Christopher "Kit" Lambert, British record producer and manager of The Who, dies of a cerebral hemorrhage at 45
- Apr 8 Margaret Landis, American silent movie actress (A Million to Burn; The Empire Builders), dies at 90
- Apr 8 Norman Taurog, American film director (Skippy), dies at 82
Omar Bradley (1893-1981)
Apr 8 American WWII General (Invasion of Normandy) and 1st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1949-53), dies of cardiac arrhythmia at 88
- Apr 10 Howard Thurman, African-American theologian and author (Deep River, Deep is the Hunger), dies at 81
- Apr 11 Caroline Gordon, American writer (Green Centuries), dies at 85
- Apr 11 Marie Ney, British character actress (The Lavender Hill Mob), dies at 85
- Apr 12 Hans Chemin-Petit, German composer, dies at 78
- Apr 12 Hendrik Andriessen, Dutch organist and composer (Ballade of Merel; Te Deum), dies at 88
Joe Louis (1914-1981)
Apr 12 American boxer (world heavyweight champion 1937-49), dies of cardiac arrest at 66
- Apr 13 Prince Asaka Yasuhiko of Japan, Japanese military commander, dies at 93
- Apr 14 Ivan Galamian, American violinist and violin teacher, dies at 78
- Apr 15 French Duynstee, Dutch states rights leader, dies at 67
- Apr 15 John Thach, American WWII naval aviator (developed the Thach Weave) & USN admiral, dies at 75
- Apr 16 Effa Manley, American Baseball HOF executive (co-owner NgL Newark Eagles), dies from a heart attack at 84
- Apr 16 Eric Hollies, English cricket spin bowler (13 Tests, 44 wickets; dismissed Donald Bradman for 0 in his final Test innings), dies at 68
- Apr 18 James H. Schmitz, American sci-fi author (Lion Game), dies at 69
- Apr 19 Ernst Levy, Swiss composer, dies at 85
- Apr 21 Eddie Sauter, American big band and theatrical arranger, bandleader (Sauter-Finegan Orchestra), and jazz composer (Stan Getz -"Focus"), dies of a heart attack at 66
- Apr 21 Harry Lee, cricketer (scored 18 & 1 in only Test for England), dies
- Apr 23 Josep Pla, Spanish journalist and author, dies at 84
- Apr 26 Jim Davis, American actor (Dallas - "Jack Ewing"), dies at 65
- Apr 26 Madge Evans, American TV panelist (Masquerade Party), dies at 71
- Apr 28 Cliff Battles, American College/Pro Football HOF halfback (West Virginia Wesleyan College; 3 x First-Team All-Pro; NFL rushing yards leader 1932, 37; Boston Braves/Redskins, Washington Redskins), dies at 70
- Apr 28 Mickey Walker, American boxer (World Welterweight Champion 1922-26; World Middleweight Champion 1926-29), dies at 79
- Apr 28 Steve Currie, British rock bassist (T. Rex; Marc Bolan), dies in a car crash in Portugal at 33
- Apr 30 Peter Huchel, German poet, dies at 78
Assassination
Drug Overdose
Gunshot Wound
Murder
Plane Crash
Suicide