Williams joined the Union Army in July 1862,[1] and served with Company G of the 8th New York Heavy Artillery.

He received the Medal of Honor on April 1, 1898, for his actions in recovering the remains of the regiment's commander Peter A. Porter at the Battle of Cold Harbor in Virginia.

He was later promoted to first lieutenant, and was transferred to the 10th New York Infantry shortly before the regiment was mustered out in June 1865.

[5] He died in Cleveland on February 14, 1930, and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Niagara Falls, New York.

Under cover of darkness, with 4 companions, he recovered the body and brought it within the Union lines, having approached within a few feet of the Confederate pickets while so engaged.