William "Bill" Lovejoy Hecht

William Lovejoy Hecht, a beloved father and revered jazz pianist, passed away on April 11th, 2025 at the age of 72, surrounded by his family in Reno, Nevada.

Born in El Cerrito, California to George Joseph Hecht and Shirley Lovejoy Hecht, Bill was the second of four siblings. He left the Bay Area in his early 20s to pursue a career in music in the Reno-Tahoe area.

Bill had a brilliant mind for math and science. In his mid 30s, with two small children at home and while gigging late each night, he attended UNR. He graduated in 1991 with a B.S. in Computer Science and was presented an award for Outstanding Senior.

Bill Hecht dedicated his life and career to music, making significant contributions as a musician and sound engineer. As the lead sound engineer at IGT, he crafted sound tracks and supervised the sound team. In the Reno-Tahoe area, Bill Hecht thrilled audiences as a pianist with the Bill Hecht trio, a dynamic jazz funk band. He spent a year on tour with Engelbert Humperdinck in 1983. Also in the 1980s, Bill played piano with the John Carleton Orchestra at Harrah's in Reno, as well as in the Johnny Russell Relief Band Orchestra, performing in all the showrooms in the Reno-Tahoe area. The Leoni Hecht Group (originally and comically calling themselves "The World Famous Wet Spots") enjoyed great popularity in casino lounges during the '80s and '90s. In recent decades he often performed with CeCe Gable.

Over the years, Bill performed with notable talents such as: Chuck Berry, Florence Henderson, Charro, Bobby Vinton, Rich Little, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Joan Rivers, Regis Philbin, Suzanne Somers, and Madeline Eastman, to name a few. Bill served for many years as the principal pianist for the Reno Jazz Orchestra, beginning in 2006. He also performed with the Reno Philharmonic orchestra and contributed musically to the For The Love Of Jazz organization. Recordings of his playing can be heard on https://www.billhecht.com/

Bill sang with the Nevada Opera Chorus and the Nevada Vocal Arts Vocal Jazz ensembles, and he dedicated 18 years to singing with the Great Basin Carolers. He delighted in wearing costumes and embracing the joyful spirit of performance.

Bill was a member of many other jazz, rock and progressive bands throughout his career. He often mentioned how he loved watching people dance to the music. He was well-known and respected in the music community.

Beyond music, Bill found joy in outdoor activities, sharing delicious meals with friends and family, and collaborating with fellow musicians in the Reno-Tahoe jazz community.

Bill is survived by his two children, Holly Hecht and Randi Castro, whom he shared with his former wife, Naunie Gardner; his two grandchildren, William and Nathaniel Castro; his three siblings, Randy Hecht, Bradley Hecht, and Darcy Frank; and his partner of 25 years, Leslie Fudge. Together with Leslie, he shared a love for their two dogs, hiking in the mountains, recreational kayaking on the lakes, tending to his forest land on the Oregon coast near Bandon, and above all, a passion for music.

Bill Hecht will be fondly remembered for his gentle spirit and exceptional musical talent. He will be missed by the community, local artists, fans, friends and his family.

A community celebration of his life is planned for later this summer in Reno, NV.