Butte native was an advocate for conservation and his home state
EBS STAFF
Editors note: This story was updated on June 27 to include additional details from the Williams family about upcoming memorial services.
John Patrick “Pat” Williams, Montana’s longest-serving congressman—serving from 1979 to 1997—died June 25 at 87 years of age, his family announced in a press release Thursday. The Butte native taught in the public schools, served as a state legislator, and after retiring from U.S. Congress, he returned home to serve as a faculty member at the University of Montana.
Williams was born in Butte in 1937, during the Great Depression among a colorful Irish family including his cousin Evel Knievel. In 1965, he married Carol Griffith Williams and they had three children.
“During his time in Congress, he was a tireless champion for working people,” the press release stated. “He led trailblazing legislation that assisted middle-class families and ensured educational opportunities for every child.”
Williams sat on congressional committees for budget, natural resources, education, labor and agriculture and was a steadfast advocate for the landscapes he grew up in. His legislation protected the Lee Metcalf Wilderness Area, the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area, and he led the successful effort to save the Bob Marshall Wilderness from oil and gas exploration.
Williams’ body will be lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Helena on Wednesday July 2 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday July 3 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. After which he will be transported to Butte for a private family burial. The Williams family will host a celebration of life in Missoula on Tuesday July 15 at 4 p.m. at the Dennison Theater at University of Montana followed by a reception at 5:30 p.m. Doors will open at 3 p.m. In honor of Congressman Williams, Gov. Gianforte ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at all State buildings on July 2 and 3. Memorials can be made to the Pat Williams Scholarship for Artists at the University of Montana or The Williams Family Fund at the Montana Community Foundation.
Explore Big Sky’s sister publication, Mountain Outlaw, published a 2023 profile of the Williams family legacy. Read it here.
