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Former UAW VP General Holiefield Dies At Age 61

DETROIT (WWJ) -- A family spokesperson has confirmed that former UAW Vice President General Holiefield died at the age of 61 on Monday.

Holiefield had pancreatic cancer and was admitted to hospice. He served a four-year term as UAW vice president until last year when he retired.

Holiefield began his career at Chrysler's Jefferson Plant in 1973. He quickly rose through the UAW ranks, working at a number of staff positions and becoming a vice president in 2006.

Holiefield received unwanted attention in 2013 when he accidentally shot his wife while trying to clear a handgun of ammunition after a trip to a shooting range. She recovered and he plead guilty to a misdemeanor.

Holiefield lead the UAW team that negotiated the most recent contract with Chrysler in 2011. He took a leave of absence in January 2014.

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