An apparent heart attack has claimed the life of Charles Voyde Harrelson, the hired assassin of a Texas federal judge -- and the father of actor Woody Harrelson.

Fremont County coroner Dorothy Twellman says the 69 year old Harrelson died in his sleep last Wednesday at the "Supermax" federal prison in Florence.

He was serving two life sentences there.

Harrelson was convicted of shooting U.S. District Judge John H. Wood, who was killed on his way to work in May 1979.

Harrelson was first sent to a prison in Atlanta, but an escape attempt prompted his transfer to the maximum security federal prison in Colorado.

Assistant U-S Attorney Ray Jahn says anyone whose life Charles Harrelson touched, ended up suffering because of it.