First council president dies at 84
July 23, 2020
Bill Lanford, Tuscaloosa’s first city council president pro tempore died Wednesday at the age of 84.
“Councilor Lanford was a dedicated public servant who ensured our government was effective and transparent to the community,” Mayor Walt Maddox said. “His leadership during a time of change for the City of Tuscaloosa laid the foundation for how we run the city to this day. I will miss our conversations and his wise counsel.”
A native of Gadsden, Lanford attended The University of Alabama and served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps before settling in Tuscaloosa. He served on the Tuscaloosa City Council from 1985-1993.