Gillette State Rep. Roy Edwards has died. The Casper Star Tribune reported on Monday afternoon the 66-year-old died on that morning after a week-long struggle with an unspecified illness.

"It's with a heavy heart that I tell you Roy Edwards went home to glory," Gillette Rep. Scott Clem wrote to fellow lawmakers on Monday in an email. "He passed at about 10:30 this morning. Please keep his wife and children in your thoughts and prayers."

According to the Gillette News Record, Edwards was transported to the Wyoming Medical Center on Oct. 23. His wife, Glenda, did not say what the illness was.

"His church family knew Roy for more than politics. Roy was our brother in Christ. He was a man of God who loved the Lord, and was a spiritual mentor to many. For many years he preached services at the Legacy/Pioneer Manor, filled the pulpit as an itinerant preacher, served as a deacon and helped win souls to Christ. As much as he loved his country and state he knew which kingdom he was building... Christ's," reads a Facebook post from Edwards's church in Gillette.

Edwards was a veteran Republican lawmaker who has served Wyoming House District 53 since 2015. He was running for re-election this year and is unopposed on Tuesday's general election ballot. Edwards has previously been a Campbell County commissioner, Gillette city councilman and local precinct committeeman.

Edwards had recently joined in with a group of Campbell County conservatives in signing a contract to pursue hardline conservative policies.

If Edwards wins re-election, the Campbell County Republican Party will choose three candidates from which the county commissioners will select a person to fill his vacancy.

Edwards is survived by his three children and wife.

Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Catherine Wheeler, at cwheel11@uwyo.edu.