[3] Williams was born in Calgary, Alberta, and was raised by a single mother after his father died a month before his birth.
[4] With the outbreak of World War II, he was commissioned and sent to London, although due to his skill as an administrator he saw little action on the front as he was usually assigned to logistical and organizational work.
[4] He was second-in-command of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry during the Korean War, receiving the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device.
[4] After the Korean War he served as secretary and flag officer to the Canadian Joint Staff in Washington, D.C., playing a role in the negotiation of the Canada-U.S. agreement on the exchange of nuclear information,[4] served as chief of staff to the 4th Canadian Brigade in Germany,[1] and worked for the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom.
[8] He was also a regular writer of obituaries of Canadian soldiers for The Telegraph, and played a role in the creation of the Canada Memorial in London's Green Park.