JD WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS J.D. Williams A titan of the Washington, DC lobbying profession, died peacefully on January 27, 2018, at his ranch in Pearsall, Texas. He was 80 years old. A singularly successful, effective, colorful, and iconic pioneer in Washington D.C.'s legal, lobbying and government relations professions for many decades, Williams - known colloquially by all as simply "J.D." - served as advisor and mentor to a broad range of Members of Congress from both major political parties. Williams is widely credited with being a premier lobbyist of his era and establishing the modern practice of lobbying in the nation's capital. Born on a cattle ranch near the Red River in rural Dexter, TX on December 2, 1937, Williams left for Oklahoma to earn a college education. After starting at Eastern Oklahoma State College, he enrolled at the University of Oklahoma to finish his undergraduate degree. While at his beloved "OU," Williams was elected to the student senate and met his future wife, Carol Jo Kennedy, who also served in the student senate and controlled as many votes as he did. Arriving in Washington as an aide to the legendary Capitol Hill powerhouse Senator Robert S. Kerr (D-Okla.) in 1959, in short time Williams became the Senator's principal staffer and was involved in all the major legislation of the time, through which he learned in detail the ins and outs of Capitol Hill and the art of Washington politics. While working in Kerr's office, he attended night school and earned a law degree from George Washington University in 1962. Williams left Capitol Hill for the Pentagon, serving from 1962 to 1965 in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps, at the rank of Captain and as Chief of the Tax Law Branch. He received the Army Commendation Medal in 1965 for meritorious service, and also received a graduate degree in Tax Law from Georgetown University. For the latter half of the decade, he worked as an associate in the law firm Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, where he was involved in major litigation advancing civil rights issues. It was at this firm that he met Bob Jensen, his future co-founder of Williams & Jensen. In 1970, Williams & Jensen was launched, and it remains today a top Washington, DC. based lobbying firm that bears their names nearly 50 years later. Williams is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol Jo; two children, Walter Williams of Los Angeles, California and Sarah Williams of Chevy Chase, MD and five grandchildren. A service in celebration of J.D. Williams' life will be held in Washington, DC. on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. For service details contact Williams & Jensen at: tfirm@wms-jen.com.A">tfirm@wms-jen.com.A service in celebration of J.D. Williams' life will be held in Washington, DC. on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. For service details contact Williams & Jensen at: tfirm@wms-jen.com.