Add a Memory
Make a Donation
Will Hutchins
1930 - 2025
Will Hutchins
1930 - 2025
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1930
DIED
2025
Will Hutchins Obituary
Will Hutchins, an actor best known for his four-season starring role in the TV western "Sugarfoot," died April 21, 2025, of respiratory failure at a hospital in Manhasset, New York at the age of 94.
Born Marshall Lowell Hutchason, Hutchins served two years during the Korean War with the United States Army Signal Corps before a Warner Bros. talent scout discovered him. He quickly began securing parts in film and on television, but it was being cast as the lead in "Sugarfoot" that thrust him into national stardom. With Hutchison playing an Eastern lawyer who moves to the Oklahoma Territory and finds himself in over his head when it comes to living in the frontier, the show was among the first comedy Westerns and was a hit with audiences, twice finishing in the top 25. The show ran four seasons from 1957 to 1961. Hutchins continued appearing on screen through the 1970s, including playing Dagwood on the late 1960s adaptation of the comic strip "Blondie," but largely faded from acting after that. His final role was a brief part in the 2010 film "The Romantics."
"I was fortunate to spend many enjoyable afternoons with him and his wife, Babs, who became good friends," friend Daniel Bubbeo said on Facebook. "Will was probably the most upbeat, the-glass-is-half-full people I've ever met in my life. Never an unkind word for anyone, always with a joke on his lips. He truly loved life, and I am really going to miss him."
By Eric San Juan
(Image: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
22 Entries
Darlene McCullough
June 10, 2025
Babs so sorry for your loss. Will was an awesome person. He is watching over us now. Hope to talk soon. Love you
Eve Honthaner
May 6, 2025
My husband Ron and I met Will and his lovely wife Barbara ("Babs") on November 30th, 1984. We had been invited to a weekend Western event in Kerrville, Texas. The first evening there, a buffet dinner was served, and by the time Ron and I had filled our plates, there were no empty tables. What we did find was a table for four with only two people sitting at it (Will and Barbara). Not knowing them, we asked if we could join them... and that was the beginning of a close life-long friendship. The four of us quickly discovered we had a lot in common, and that entire weekend we were joined at the hip. For the next 12 years (until they moved to Long Island), we shared many dinners (including Thanksgiving dinners), went to events and on trips together. Babs and I started a greeting card business together and were both part of a "girls´ night out" group of five. I visited them in NY once on my own, and Ron and I visited together one other time, but Babs and I always stayed in touch via phone, email and text. Ron and I faithfully followed Will´s appearances and columns and cheered him on from afar.
A gentle and humble man, Will was a first-class story and joke-teller, a film buff of the highest degree, and he could talk politics at the drop of a hat. He was unpretentious about his talent and greatly appreciated his fan base-spending untold hours devotedly responding to their communications with hand-written cards and letters. In fact, several of his fans became friends. Give him a few balloons, and he´d twist them into an adorable animal. Ask him about an obscure old movie, and he´d know the full cast as well as the director and what other movies they´d done. He loved to reminisce about old Hollywood. But on top of Will´s list of what he valued most was his loving, supportive, passionate wife, Babs. Babs, whose beautiful smile could light up any room-the same Babs who so adeptly took care of Will when he became ill and fought ferociously to make sure he had the best healthcare possible. They were devoted to each other and made a great team!
Brennen Garcia
April 30, 2025
I will missed you. Rest in Peace
CJ
April 29, 2025
Thank you, for all the Great Entertainment that the show, Sugarfoot, is!!!
I have the dvds and will watch these alot!!
Mr. Will Hutchins you are always going to a Western Hero and Role model!
Thank you again, Sir!
Rest in peace and, GOD BLESS
How you can show support
Maureen Madden
April 28, 2025
You don´t know me but I know you Sugarfoot! I grew up with you and so many other cowboys during my childhood. I can still sing (most) of the theme song´s words. You even made an appearance at one of our Glen Cove Downtown Sounds concerts. I was so thrilled! Rest in Peace and may God bless you
Mrs "GG" Bigrigg
April 27, 2025
Prayers and condolences to all of Will Hutchins's family!
I, as so many, loved all of his work in the "Sugarfoot" series, as well as the work in the different episodes with Clint Walker (Cheyenne) and
Ty Hardin (Bronco Lane). May you Rest In Peace, Will, in Jesus's name.
Mrs "GG" Bigrigg, a Fan
Matt McGrath
April 26, 2025
My condolences to Mr. Hutchins family. I grew up with"Sugarfoot" and the other WB cowboys. They were great roll models for a young boy. He also did fine work in "Merrill´s Marauders" and "Hey Landlord". Thanks also for his Army service. God Bless.
Dean Kloss
April 26, 2025
God bless the family. Rest in peace.
John Henderson
April 25, 2025
He is last of the Warner Brothers cowboys. They were a positive influence on me and hundreds of thousands of youngsters every week. You all will be missed dearly. God bless you all.
Corky Meyers
April 25, 2025
In 1959 I was in 3rd grade at DT Davis elementary school. We had an assignment to write a letter to A famous person. I chose Will to send my letter to. A few weeks later I got a letter and autographed photo back from my favorite tv cowboy, Sugarfoot. I was one happy 9year old. I still remember the theme song. RIP ol´ podner.
John Cohan Psychic to the Stars
April 24, 2025
Psychic to the Stars John Cohan says I knew Will since the days he worked at Warner Bros.. Out of the many times/incidents, I recall helping him when he was married to Carol Burnett's sister Chris, too, way back....Yes, he was a sweet soul and a delightful man to have as a friend.. He will be missed but never forgotten..
Barbara Lowrance
April 24, 2025
Still a wonderful childhood memory. I loved Sugarfoot and even named my puppy Sugar in his honor years ago. I hope you didn't mind. Rest in Peace, Will.
Brenda
April 24, 2025
I remember sitting at the same table as Well and his wife at the cancer survivors luncheon at the Dematis Center. They were such lovely people and very kind and funny. His wife was so attentive to him and you could see the love between them. So sorry for your loss but just know that you found love with a lot of people don´t find. And the next year he wrote a horse up the driveway too the luncheon. I remember that well it was a Palomino. Nice people do exist. Brenda Hersch.
Clay Pruett
April 24, 2025
I loved your show watching it growing up in the early 60´s and late 50´s so very sorry to hear about your passing my your memory live on for many generations thank you for the memories
Larry thornsberry
April 24, 2025
So Sorry to hear about your loss Will Hutchinson brought joy and happiness for so many people through the years through his Movie's and TV Show's he will be Missed.
Avamaria Carnevale
April 24, 2025
Rest in peace, Will. You are a star that will light up our lives forever.
Avamaria Carnevale
Brennen Garcia
April 23, 2025
I will missed you. Rest in Peace
Christine Brothers
April 23, 2025
Fond memories - rest in peace
Tina Cook
April 23, 2025
Loved him in the movie Clambake with Elvis. Prayers and thoughts to the family. RIP Will.
J Hoffman
April 23, 2025
Sugarfoot was my father´s favorite show. Thank you for sharing your talent with us, my family is forever grateful for all the wonderful memories you gave my father. May God give his family strength and comfort during this difficult time. Sending condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.
Arthur Pitts
April 23, 2025
May you RIP Sir
James (Boston Jim) McMinn
April 23, 2025
I loved Sugarfoot! Godspeed Will
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
Make a Donation
in Will Hutchins's name
How to support Will's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Will Hutchins's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more