[3] Williams served in artillery assignments of increasing rank and responsibility throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including a posting to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, as a member of the 13th Field Artillery Regiment, assignment to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and a position as an instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

[6] Williams served as commander of the Third United States Army Artillery during World War II, taking part in operations throughout Europe after the D-Day invasion and earning the Distinguished Service Medal.

[12] Williams was then named commander of the United States Army Field Artillery Center, serving from 1954 to 1956.

[16][17][18][19] In 1958 he chaired the Williams Board, which reviewed and recommended changes to the Army's professional education system for officers.

[20] Williams was selected to command the Fourth United States Army in 1959, and he served in this post until his retirement.