The man who represented Scotland County in Congress for more than two decades has died.

Former U.S. Rep. W.G. "Bill" Hefner died Wednesday afternoon at the age of 79.

Hefner, a Democrat, served the 8th Congressional District from 1975 until his retirement in 1999.

Hefner had lived in Alabama since his retirement.

He was succeeded in the 8th District by Robin Hayes, a Republican from Concord. Larry Kissell, a Democrat, defeated Hayes for the seat in 2008.

"He was smart and funny and had a reputation for making people laugh, but he also had a reputation for being a tough legislator when it was called for ... It is an honor to serve in his seat in Congress. The Eighth District has lost one of its dearest friends today," Kissell said in a statement.

Kissell added that Hefner served the district "with tremendous honor and distinction."

"When I think about Bill Hefner, I think about his work on behalf of our veterans, our military and their families. He set the example of how to care for those who fight for our freedom."

The W.G. (Bill) Hefner V.A. Medical Center is named in his honor.

Born in Elora, Tenn., Hefner graduated from high school in Sardis, Ala. He attended the University of Alabama, and he became the president and owner of radio station WRKB in Kannapolis. He was a member of the Harvesters Quartet, a group of gospel music singers based in North Carolina, from 1954 to 1967, and was a television performer on numerous North Carolina TV channels.

"He may have come from a show-business background, but he was a work horse, not a show horse," Kissell said. "His tremendous dedication and tireless efforts for the people of the 8th District are visible throughout the area from the Bill Hefner VA Hospital in Salisbury to the Bill Hefner Elementary School in Fayetteville."