Obituary: John Daniel (J. D.) Williams

John Daniel (J.D.) Williams

"He Loved Teaching"

Known to family, friends, and thousands of former students simply as "J.D.," John Daniel Williams, age 81, died September 3, 2007.

He was born in Salt Lake City to Rex W. and Helen Spencer Williams on January 13, 1926 and educated in the public schools. After graduation from East High in 1943 he received a Henry Newell Scholarship to attend Stanford University, completing his B.A. course work in three years and graduating with high honors. Immediately afterward he married Barbara (Bea) Wright in Logan, Utah on July 5, 1946 and worked in the U.S. Library of Congress until he received a Littauer Fellowship to study at Harvard University.

Acquiring a Ph.D. from Harvard in 1952, J.D. joined the political science faculty at the University of Utah, eventually teaching for 40 years. Devoted to students, he was "favorite professor" of many campus organizations. Likewise, the university administration named him Superior Teacher, Distinguished Teacher, and University Professor. Upon retirement in 1992, he became an honorary U of U alumnus, earned an LL.D. degree, and received the U's highest award for teaching, the

Joseph Rosenblatt Prize. After retirement he was further honored as an honorary alumnus of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Not simply a classroom teacher, J.D. was the U's founding Director of the Bureau of Community Development, Moderator of the Model United Nations, and founding Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Outside academia he received a Utah Bar Association Award for Contributions to a Free Society under Law, the B'nai B'rith award for civil rights, and a Utah Library Association award for defense of the First Amendment. Nationally he served 18 years as a Phi Beta Kappa senator and one term on the Democratic National Committee.

J.D. is survived by his wife of 61 years; one brother: Rex W. Williams Jr. (Shirley); and four children: Kirk, Gil (Cindy), Taylor

(Sheryl), and Kim D'Agostino (John) plus 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, older brother, Robert S. Williams, and one granddaughter.

In addition to family, students, nurses, and people everywhere, J.D. loved the Utah mountains, where he fished and skied, and the U.S. Constitution, which brought tears of gratitude to his eyes. Although unsuccessful in his own bids for public office, he worked enthusiastically for candidates he considered wise and ethical. He leaves a legacy of generosity, moral courage, and