Pedzisa mutsara unotevera: Achidzokera kuUnited States somukuru mukuru paWatertown Arsenal, akaendazve kuEurope pakupera kwa1914 somucherechedzi wemauto eAmerica neuto reGermany kwemwedzi mitanhatu. Iye zvino ava lieutenant colonel, akatorazve mabasa neJoint Gun Forgings Board kubva muna May 1915 kusvika muna June 1916. Pashure pemwedzi misere semukuru mukuru wezvirongwa zveDhipatimendi reMaodzanyemba reHondo mukati mekuunganidzwa kweHondo yeNguva dzose neNational Guard zvikamu zve
Pavakanga vari muuto rePunitive Expedition, vakadanwa kuWashington pakupera kwaFebruary 1917, kuti vave mutevedzeri womukuru mukuru wezvombo. Kupinda kweAmerica muHondo Yenyika I muna April 1917, akaenda kuFrance semukuru mukuru wemauto emauto eAmerica. Williams akapedza mwedzi gumi nerimwe ari ikoko, panguva iyo akakwidziridzwa makirasi maviri kusvika pachinzvimbo che brigadier general.