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ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. — Funeral services were held Saturday for a long-time member of North Carolina's General Assembly, Rep. William Wainwright.

Rep. Wainwright died at the age of 64 on Tuesday. He had been battling illnesses including heart problems. Wainwright was a Democrat, serving Craven County. He spent more than two decades in the General Assembly and was a close ally of Gov. Bev Perdue.

Rep. Wainwright was also the first African-American to serve as House Speaker Pro-Tempore.

"He was one who cared about justice for all people and the legacy that he leaves behind is one that will be on the impression of young children that they can do anything," said Saint Steven Zion Church Pastor Roscoe Linton.

Democrats in Wainwright's House District will now have to choose a replacement candidate for him in the November election.