By KIMBER KAY
Elder Wayne M. Hancock, president of the Utah Provo Mission, was called to the Second Quorum of the Seventy at the Saturday morning session of General Conference.
Elder Hancock and his wife of over 40 years, Connie, will be released from their mission July 1.
The call came as a surprise to Sister Hancock. She said it was 'absolutely overwhelming.'
Elder Hancock was born in Spafford, Ariz., and grew up in Glendale, Calif. He spent many summers in Arizona with his grandmother, said Benton Blake, his first cousin once removed, also serving a mission with his wife under Elder Hancock.
'I've known him all my life,' Blake said. Referring to Elder Hancock's calling Blake said, 'I'm not surprised at all. He is very capable and able.'
Elder Hancock started his college experience at the University of Arizona. After two years he transferred to BYU and met his future wife, Connie Ann Cameron, of St. Anthony, Idaho.
Both graduated in 1953 and were married shortly afterward. They returned to the University of Arizona so Wayne could complete his law degree.
As a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps, Elder Hancock spent four years with the Air Force as a legal officer in the Judge Advocate General program for three years in Germany and one year at Hill Air Force Base.
Elder Hancock initially practiced law but eventually took a job working for Dow Chemical Co. Elder Hancock returned to Europe as the managing director of the Italian region.
The Hancocks then settled in Midland, Mich., where Hancock became vice president, general counsel with Dow Chemical.
Hancock has also held many church callings, including Sunday School teacher, bishop, counselor to the stake mission president, stake president's counselor and stake president.
Angie Speed, a sophomore in music education grew up with President Hancock as her stake president.
'He was a great man,' Speed said. She remembers Sister Hancock as 'Super Mother.'
Speed said she remembers the Hancock's taking care of Sister Hancock's invalid mother for years. Sister Hancock would have sister missionaries and members of the ward, including Speed's mother, over for lunch each week.
'Mother loved to socialize,' Sister Hancock said. The weekly luncheons provided members the opportunity to talk with her.
Carl Anderson, Elder Hancock's second counselor in the mission presidency, said Elder Hancock would bring 'unshakable faith and diligence' to his new calling in the Seventy. Anderson's wife, Rosalin, said that she was impressed with Elder Hancock's gospel knowledge back when both families lived in Germany.
'He is a fabulous individual,' said Anderson. 'He is totally dedicated to the church and performing his calling.'
The Hancocks have eight children, their youngest son Paul attends BYU.
Elder and Sister Hancock will continue serving their mission until the end of June as planned.