[1] In 1944, he won a scholarship to study at the University of Bristol, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1948 and later a Master of Science in physics.
In working to earn his master's degree, he studied stereo micro-radiography at the University of Chicago, under the direction of Cyril Stanley Smith.
Williams commenced lecturing at McGill University in 1960, and was selected to be the Chairman of the Department of Mining and Metallurgy in 1966.
Throughout his career, Williams conducted research on a variety of topics ranging from esoteric studies of grain shape to the practical aspects of abrasion resistant cast irons for mineral comminution.
[3] As a specialist in failure analysis, Williams was consulted to investigate numerous engineering failures including such notable events as the 1965 LaSalle Heights disaster,[4] the Mississauga train derailment of 1979, and the crash of Quebecair Flight 255.