Williams was a forward and made his debut for the Newton Rangers senior team in 1915 aged just 16.

On 24 May he made his New Zealand debut in a match against Auckland prior to the teams departure for Australia.

[7] A month later the Australian side was to tour New Zealand playing 9 matches including 4 tests.

Williams test debut came in the 21–44 defeat at the Basin Reserve in Wellington in front of 8,000 spectators.

[16][17] In 1920 Williams did not play rugby league but returned to the field in 1921, again wearing the Newton jersey.

New Zealand was thrashed 56 points to 9 by New South Wales with Williams playing in the second row.

Later in the season he transferred back to the Newton Rangers and scored tries in 3 consecutive matches.

Bill Williams died on 21 November 1927 aged just 28 when the 12 ft mullet yacht he was sailing capsized on its way from Milford on Auckland’s North Shore to Islington Bay on Rangitoto Island.

[28][29] Williams who was said to be a good sailor had persuaded Stanley John Easdown to go with him to Islington Bay to go fishing and shooting.

[30] The lone survivor (Easdown) went through harrowing conditions both in the water and once ashore on Rangitoto Island in an attempt to find help.

[31] Williams married Ivy Hazeldine Gildin Thomas (b.1896-1988) in 1922 they were living in Takapuna at the time with their young children.