Senior U.S District Court Judge William O'Kelley of the Northern District of Georgia, who died Wednesday, was remembered by friends last week for his sharp legal mind, keen wit, strong mentoring, gregarious personality and good company on long trips.

“Bill O'Kelley was a great judge and a good friend,” said former Gov. Roy Barnes of Barnes Law Group in Marietta. “I deeply regret his passing.”

He was 87. President Richard Nixon appointed him to the federal bench in 1970. He assumed senior status in 1996 but remained active.