Born in Reading, Massachusetts, Williams was in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant (JG) during World War II, from 1943 to 1946.
He was Secretary of the California State Human Relations Agency from 1967 to 1970.
[1] Williams was nominated by President Richard Nixon on June 12, 1971, to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, to a new seat created by 84 Stat.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 29, 1971, and received his commission the same day.
Williams served in that capacity until his death on January 3, 2008, in Carmichael, California.