Billie Hayes, the character actress best known for her comedically villainous turn as Witchiepoo on H.R. Pufnstuf, has died. She was 96.

Hayes died Thursday of natural causes. Her family announced the news.

"In addition to being a very talented and special person, Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch of the West/Wizard of Oz) once told me that Witchiepoo was the best witch ever," H.R. Pufnstuf co-creator Marty Krofft said in a statement to EW. "And as far as I'm concerned, there was no one better than Billie Hayes. She was a home run for us and H.R Pufnstuf."