Williams died today, at age 89, at a hospital in Miami, Florida where he had undergone surgery.

In reacting to his death, former prime minister PJ Patterson said he has lost a precious friend and an invaluable political colleague and that Jamaica is now the poorer for Williams' death.

"He ranks within the highest echelons of committed Leaders who have contributed beyond measure to the growth and esteem of our island. He was a towering giant in the fields of business, education, institution building and deserving charitable causes," Patterson said.

Williams was the founder of the country's first Jamaican owned life insurance company, Life of Jamaica, now Sagicor Life Jamaica.