The great Walter E. Williams, who taught economics at Fairfax County’s George Mason University, died last week. Dr. Williams was 84 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife and soulmate, Connie.

Dr. Williams was a gifted economist and beloved educator. Known for his unwavering defense of human freedom, Dr. Williams authored 11 books and numerous op-eds. His final column was about the modern tragedy of public education.

From his advocacy of school choice to his debunking of various leftist fallacies, Dr. Williams was a clear-eyed analyst and powerful communicator. He occasionally served as guest host of the Rush Limbaugh Show, with its millions of listeners nationwide.

“Walter is one of the few honest academics,” the brilliant scholar Thomas Sowell noted in Suffer No Fools, a moving documentary about Dr. Williams’ amazing life:

“The conservative movement lost a towering giant in Walter Williams,” Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts said today. “Dr. Williams’ wit and wisdom, however, still live on, in his written words and in the memories of the countless lives he touched and inspired.”