Brother Williams was born in Provo, Utah. He received his bachelor’s degree in sociology, his master’s in counseling and guidance, and his doctorate in educational curriculum and leadership, all from BYU. He taught seminary for several years and wrote curriculum for the Church Educational System. He was an associate editor for the Book of Mormon Reference Companion. He has taught at BYU since 1986. He and his wife, Kathy, reside in Sandy, Utah, and are the parents of five children and fifteen grandchildren.