"He always had an opinion," said his wife. Shea added that despite those strong opinions, Dr. Williams had a "charm" that buffered his comments.

From 1965 to 1975, Dr. Williams was director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, providing the "vision and passion" that gave life to the institute, said Kirk L. Jowers, the institute's current director.

The institute "joins with thousands of former colleagues, students and interns in mourning the passing" of Dr. Williams, Jowers said. The late professor's "lasting legacy" will be his role in transforming the "best and brightest students at the university into some of the nation's most influential and valued public servants."

"The political landscape of our state and nation will echo with J.D.'s fervor and zeal for generations as thousands of his students on the left and right fulfill his vision of passionate public service and devotion to our founding constitutional principles."

Wayne Holland, current Utah Democratic Party chairman, praised Dr. Williams as "an institute in the state of Utah. He will be sorely missed. And not just by the Democrats. He thought everyone should be involved in politics."

A memorial service will be held Sept. 22 (the first non-football Saturday, Dr. Williams' wife noted) at the university. Further details will be announced at a later date.

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E-mail: tvanleer@desnews.com