Wayman E. Hancock, 90, who inspected the Chicago stockyards and meat-processing factories for 20 years and was the father of pianist Herbie Hancock, died in his sleep Monday, June 4, in a South Holland nursing home. He was born in Albany, Ga., and moved with his family to the Near South Side as a youth. He graduated from DuSable High School. He married Winnie Bell in 1936. During World War II, Mr. Hancock left the grocery he owned for a job at the U.S. Postal Service, which needed workers after many of its employees enlisted in the armed forces, said his daughter Earline Greenfield. Following the war, he worked as a meat inspector and trainer for 40 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, retiring in 1991. The father of a musical family–his daughter Jeanne was awarded a Grammy posthumously in 1987 with her brother Herbie–Mr. Hancock often serenaded them and also sang in his church choir. In addition to his wife, son and daughter, Mr. Hancock is survived by another son, Wayman Jr.; a brother, Gilbert; a sister, Ann Johnson; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Services will be held at noon Friday in Vernon Park Church of God, 9011 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago.
