killed death and took his job

[Paul Frost]

Many years ago (20+) my brother-in-law told me about a book he was reading where the main character killed death. Apparently if death has his hood up, he's untouchable - but if his hood is back he's mortal. Death came for the main character but death had his hood back and the main character killed him - which meant he had to take Death's job.

Does anyone know what book this is from? I've been doing google searches for hours with no luck.

 

[Alex The G and T]

Piers Anthony "On a Pale Horse" perhaps. First book of the Incarnations of Immortality series.