Colonel
Special Forces
Defense Superior Service Medal (1OLC)
Born and raised in Harrisburg, Arkansas, COL Williams enlisted as an active duty Armor Scout, at Fort Knox, KY in June, 1979. Following his initial assignment with 1-4 INF, 3rd ID in Europe, he enrolled in the ROTC program at Arkansas State University, graduating and commissioning as an Infantry officer in September, 1984. COL Timothy R. Williams is a career Army Special Forces Officer, who retired after serving more than 30 years on active duty on September 30, 2014. The following day, COL Williams became the Executive Director of the Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC), a regional non-profit Veterans Service Organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
During his military career, COL Williams served in several key leadership positions: Infantry Platoon Leader and XO in Headquarters Company, Allied Command Europe Mobile Force, and Anti-Tank Platoon Leader in 4-8 INF, 8th ID. Following Special Forces Selection and the Qualification course, he served as Detachment Commander of ODA 526 and the OPS Officer for 1st Battalion, 5th SF Group during which he served in Desert SHIELD/STORM and in Somalia. He commanded A CO, 2nd BN, 5th SF Group and served as 2nd BN XO. Additional assignments include joint plans officer at Allied Forces North Europe, commander of 3rd BN, 5th SFG in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and 5th SFG Deputy commander, which included serving as the CJSOTF-AP Chief of Staff in Iraq. He served also as the Director of Operations, Special Operations Command-Central for two years, and commanded the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade, at Fort Dix, New Jersey and was the USF-I Chief of Training and Commandant of the Stability Academy at Camp Victory, Iraq. COL Williams culminated his military career as the Defense Coordinating Officer supporting FEMA Region III, where he planned, coordinated and executed DOD support to FEMA Consequence Management efforts in a 6 state area.
After Officer Basic courses and the Special Forces Qualification course, COL Williams attended the Australian Army Command and Staff College. He holds a BA in History from Arkansas State University, a MA in Humanities with a concentration in Military History from Louisiana State University, a Masters in Defense Analysis from Canberra University, Australia and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College.
COL Williams’ awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (1OLC), the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star (3OLC), the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, 2nd Award, the Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, and Master Parachutist Badge and many other countries jump wings, among many other awards and decorations. COL Williams is a member of the Order of Saint Barbara and Order of Saint Maurice and is a member of the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame. COL Williams is the son of Billy Joe and Donnis Williams of Harrisburg and is married to the former Lisa Power of Newport News, Virginia. He has 4 children, Tiffany, Nathaniel, Jack and Andrew.
