Born in Morganton, North Carolina in 1894 (some sources state 1897 or 1899),[1][2] Williams ran away from home at the age of 11 to join a tent show.

He put his career on hold to join the United States Army where he served in the 166th Infantry Regiment during World War I.

[3] After appearing as "Johnnie Coles" in the play Rebound in 1930, Williams was chosen by director Edward H. Griffith to reprise the role in the 1931 film version.

[3] Later that same year, Williams was cast in his first and only leading role in the romantic comedy film Platinum Blonde, starring Loretta Young and Jean Harlow.

[7] On November 3, 1931, three days after the premiere of Platinum Blonde,[8] Williams died of peritonitis at Hollywood Hospital after undergoing two operations for acute appendicitis the previous week.