GLENS FALLS - Willis A. Hanchett, 92, passed away at his home in Glens Falls on Thursday, May 6, 2010.

Willis was the son of the late Fred and Hazel (Dickinson) Hanchett. He was married to Priscilla Baker, a longtime choreographer for the Lake George Opera Club.

Willis was a professional hairdresser and worked with major network television companies over a career that spanned many many years. He worked with numerous daytime soap opera stars during his employment with the American Broadcasting Company in their makeup department. He was nominated in both 1978 and 1980, for an Emmy Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his “outstanding achievement in design excellence in daytime television.”

In addition to his career, Willis loved to dance, play piano, listen to his player piano, and, of course, eat chocolate cake.

In addition to his wife and parents, Willis was predeceased by a niece, Alice Doetsch; a great-niece, Nancy Doetsch; a sister, Glen Comisky; and a sister-in-law, Joyce Hanchett.

Survivors include his brother, Allyn Hanchett; his nieces, Joan Graham, Melody Hanchett and Laura Astarita; his nephews, Jason Doetsch, Bruce Doetsch and his wife, Debbie, Francis “Bud” Doetsch, Gary Hanchett and his wife, Sue, Keith Hanchett and his wife, Karen, Craig Hanchett and his wife, Denise, and Mark Hanchett and his wife, Paula; his great-nephews and nieces, Chris Hanchett, Matt Hanchett, Derek Hanchett and his wife, Shannon; Sherri Hanchett, Laura Wurzel and her husband, Craig, Danielle McMahon and Andrew McMahon; his great- great-nephews and nieces, Logan Doetsch, Ryan Nelson, Gail Nelson, Dyllan Hanchett, Brittany Hanchett, Miara Wurzel and Julie Wurzel. He is also survived by friends here in the United States and all over the world.

Friends may call on the family between 1 and 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main St., South Glens Falls. Online condolences may be posted
at www.kilmerfuneralhome.
com.

Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at the funeral home with Regina Haag of Adirondack Friends Meeting officiating.

Burial will follow in the Gansevoort Cemetery.

Donations in Willis’ name may be made to The Piney Woods School, P.O. Box 57, Piney Woods, MS 39148 or the S.P.C.A. of Upstate New York, P.O. Box 171, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Willis A. Hanchett, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.