Birmingham’s William Jelks Cabaniss, Jr., a former Alabama lawmaker and U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic, died yesterday at the age of 86.

“His life was based on love of family, community and country, and he lived it with honor and dignity every step of the way,” reads the obituary written by his family.

He was born in Birmingham in 1938 to William Jelks Cabaniss and Florence Pierson Sanson Cabaniss.

He joined the Alabama House of Representatives in 1978 after three years of active duty in Germany as an Airborne Ranger in the 60s and the founding of his metal machining company Precision Grinding, Inc.

He went on to serve in the state senate from 1982 to 1990 and helped build Republicans into the state’s majority party for the first time since Reconstruction.

“During his time in both houses, Cabaniss worked on pro-business legislation and introduced bills to strengthen the Alabama Ethics Commission by giving the commission subpoena power and its own investigative staff,” reads his entry in the Encyclopedia of Alabama.

“Although he was highly respected on both sides of the aisle and able to achieve many bipartisan votes on his bills, Cabaness’s efforts at reforming the commission only came to fruition after he left office.”

In 1990, he ran against U.S. Senator Howell Heflin, a Democrat. Though President George H.W. Bush campaigned for him, Cabaniss lost the election, capturing 39% of the vote to Heflin’s 61%.

In 2002, he helped newly-elected Gov. Bob Riley transition into office.

Cabaness was appointed Ambassador to the Czech Republic by President George W. Bush in 2003 and served until 2006.

“Cabaniss met regularly with officials of the American Chamber of Commerce in Prague to encourage trade between the United States and the Czech Republic,” according to his encyclopedia entry.

“Cabaniss also participated in a meeting at the Mercedes headquarters in Germany hosted by the Metropolitan Development Board of Jefferson County for Alabama business executives and members to recruit European automotive suppliers to Alabama.”

After his appointment expired, Cabaniss served on the board of directors for several Alabama businesses, including AmSouth Bank, Birmingham Steel Corporation, the Southern Company (parent company of Alabama Power), and Protective Life Company.

He was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2004 and the Alabama Business Hall of Fame in 2006.

“Bill loved tennis, golf (especially with long-time friends) and supporting Catherine, a talented artist, in her artistic endeavors,” reads his obituary.

“.Bill has left behind a legacy of a life well lived. He gave back more than he was given and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.”

There will be a Graveside Service at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham at 2:00 pm Wednesday, February 5th, according to the family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm that day at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church (3736 Montrose Road) followed by a Visitation and Celebration of Bill’s Life at the Mountain Brook Club (19 Beechwood Road).

The Service will also be available for screening at 3:00 pm Wednesday on: https://www.youtube.com/live/rEqicQjx5rU

In lieu of flowers, the family requests with appreciation that Memorials be made to: Big Oak Ranch in Springville, Saint Luke’s Foundation at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham, or to the charity of your choice.