on december 29, 1879, williams was admitted to the bar in michigan. he was ordained a deacon by bishop harris in 1880 and served at st. john's in detroit. then, until 1884, he was rector at the church of the messiah. after that, he continued to serve as a rector at st. george's until 1889. during this time he was a church journalist and in charge of the african-american church, st. matthew's. he had positions at st. paul's in buffalo and all saint's in milwaukee before becoming administrator and archdeacon in the episcopal diocese of northern michigan in 1891. williams was elected first bishop of marquette on november 14, 1895 and consecrated may 1, 1896.