A hydrotreating process using a sulfided catalyst composition comprised of at least one Group VIII metal and at least one Group VI metal on an inorganic oxide support, which sulfided catalyst is derived from a catalyst precursor comprised of salts and/or complexes of a Group VIII metal(s) with a Group VI metal heteropolyacid on an inorganic oxide support material, wherein the concentration of Group VIII metal ranges from about 2 to 20 wt. %, and the concentration of Group VI metal ranges from 5 to 50 wt. %, which percents are on support and which catalyst composition is substantially free of free water.