In 1952, Professor Williams graduated cum laude from Tufts University. He received his Masters Degree in 1954 from the University Illinois. In 1960, he earned a PhD in psychology from the University of Michigan. Professor Williams served in the U.S. Army from 1954-56, and

worked as a research psychologist. In 1961 he came to Cornell University as an assistant professor, and became a full professor in 1969. When he retired in 1999, his colleagues awarded him an emeritus professorship.

During his long career, Professor Williams served for a period as chairman of the Department of Organizational Behavior and for 25 years was the director of graduate studies for the school of Industrial and Labor Relations. He served on the committees of over 250 graduate students and was chairman for more than 70 students.