He was the number two man at the UAW, and responsible for spearheading some of the biggest negotiations during the auto industry's bleak period of the late 2000s, reported MLive.

General Holiefield passed away at the age of 61 Monday after battling pancreatic cancer.

Holiefield retired from the UAW last year after twice being elected to four-year terms as vice president, the highest ranking spot in the UAW under the president.

He oversaw Chrysler, now FCA US, for the UAW, and was part of crucial negotiations in 2007 and 2011.

In 2011 negotiations, Holiefield said, "We know that if we continue to talk and continue to negotiate we will work our way through anything. After all, look where we've come from -- I think the commercials on television have said it all, 'we've come through Hell,' and look where we're at today."

In addition to contract talks with the Detroit Three, Holiefield was involved in negotiations with Pres. Barack Obama's automotive task force in 2009, and helped ensure that Chrysler received government aid instead of being liquidated, according to the Free Press.

"Under his leadership, General helped guide the Company through one of the most difficult periods in its history," FCA president and CEO Sergio Marchionne said in a statement. "As a result, Fiat Chrysler was able to provide a secure future for those who chose to stay and for the nearly 15,000 new UAW-represented employees that have joined the company since June 2009.

Holiefield's career was marked by successfully landing higher wages and more jobs for UAW workers. He first joined the UAW about 40 years ago at Chrysler's Jefferson assembly plant.

"We are saddened by reports of the passing of General Holiefield," the UAW said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time."