Dr. Williams grew up on Ohio. He received a BA degree from Vanderbilt University in 1972, and a DMD degree from Tufts University in 1975. His oral and maxillofacial surgery residency was completed at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago in 1979, and he received a specialty certificate and an MS degree in oral and maxillofacial surgery. After completing his military duty as Director, Oral Surgery Training, General Dental Residency at Fort Hood, Texas, Dr. Williams entered private practice in Springfield, Illinois, in 1981.

Dr. Williams is a Past President of the G.V. Black Dental Society and former Chairman of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Memorial Medical Center and St. Johns Hospital. He is currently a member of the G.V. Black Dental Society, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons as well as numerous other professional associations.