Greenville native and former Alabama legislator, George McMillan, has passed away at the age of 81.

McMillan, known for his swift rise in state politics and impressive work ethic, was elected in 1973 to the Alabama House of Representatives on behalf of Jefferson County.

The following year, he was elected to the State Senate, and in 1978, McMillan became the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. In 1982, he ran for governor against incumbent George Wallace, narrowly losing in a tight runoff.

Governor Kay Ivey, a longtime friend of McMillan and fellow Auburn University graduate, released a statement following the news of his death.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former lieutenant governor and my good friend, George McMillan,” said Ivey.

“My friendship with George dates back to our days serving in student government at Auburn University. He treasured being in public service and was a man of great ideas throughout his life, especially while he served our state as lieutenant governor and in the Legislature. My prayers are with him and his loved ones. He will be greatly missed!”

After leaving politics, McMillan devoted his efforts to growing Birmingham’s reputation on a national scale, and in 1989, he achieved exactly by organizing City Stages. McMillan oversaw the music festival in the downtown area of Birmingham for several years.

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten