State Rep. Walter Lloyd, a lawmaker who represented a long swath of the Lowcountry for a decade and was an advocate for education, died Thursday at his Walterboro home after a long illness. He was 73.

Lloyd, a Democrat, was absent from the session in Columbia this year while he battled an undisclosed illness. He represented parts of Colleton and Beaufort counties.

Former Walterboro lawmaker Peden McLeod talked with Lloyd a few weeks ago and said he appeared to be suffering and was weak. "He worked hard at it," McLeod said of Lloyd's career. "He was responsive to folks. He was a likeable guy who did pretty good constituent service. He was more than willing to help folks when they called upon him."

A special election or primary to fill his District 121 seat will be called by House Speaker David Wilkins. Under state law, the earliest the primary would be held is 11 weeks from now, with the election two weeks later.

Lloyd was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1995. He was a retired teacher who taught for nearly 20 years at Ruffin High School. Later he became agricultural education consultant for the state Department of Education.

Lloyd had good political skills and was dedicated to improving Colleton County, according to former Lowcountry lawmaker McKinley Washington. "He was really committed to helping that county," Washington said.

Lloyd had no opposition in last year's election. In 2002, he defeated Republican Naomi Bonnie Adams by collecting 66 percent of the vote.

Democrats said his contribution to the Statehouse should be recognized. "Walter Lloyd's lifetime of work as an educator and a legislator is an inspiration to all of us," said state Democratic Party Chairman Joe Erwin.

"I was deeply saddened today to learn of the death of my friend Walter Lloyd," said U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. "He was a tremendous advocate for agriculture, education and rural communities, and his leadership will be sorely missed."