Arthur Williams, Jr. was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1935 and graduated from Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in 1957. His upbringing in the tradition of The Episcopal Church instilled in him a call to the priesthood; however, the bishop of his diocese discouraged him from this pursuit, feeling that most parishes would not accept a Black priest. With this in mind, Williams joined the Navy and became an officer. Upon leaving the Navy, he pursued his desire to be a priest and earned a degree from General Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 1965. His first assignment was that of assistant at Saint Mark’s Church in Riverside, Rhode Island. Feeling called to urban ministry, Williams transferred to Grace Church in Detroit, Michigan. In 1970, he was appointed the Assistant to the Bishop for Ministry, Deployment, and Urban Affairs for the Diocese of Michigan.

By the time Williams arrived in Detroit, he had a great deal of experience with urban social justice and racial issues. In Providence, Rhode Island he demonstrated for fair housing and busing. While at seminary, he witnessed racial prejudice in The Episcopal Church when Southern bishops threatened to withdraw their students if they were required to room with Black seminarians. In Detroit, Williams saw first hand the violence and devastation that racial injustice fueled when riots broke out in his parish neighborhood in 1967, killing and injuring dozens of people.

These experiences galvanized Williams’ resolve to awaken people to the nature of their own participation in racism and its pervasiveness. Upon assuming a position as archdeacon in the Diocese of Ohio in 1977, he was given oversight of missions and aided parishes. He also established a local chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, developed the division of urban ministries, and spoke widely around the diocese on issues of racial justice.

In 1986, Williams was consecrated the first Black suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Ohio. As bishop, he chaired the Episcopal Committee for Black Ministry (1988-1990), served on the House of Bishops’ Committee to End Racism (1993-2000), chaired the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee of the Executive Council (1994-1997), and chaired the Commission on Human Sexuality (2000).

Williams had a distinguished career in other areas within The Episcopal Church as well. He was a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance (1980-1991) and a trustee for the General Theological Seminary (1979-1988). As archdeacon, he served as a member of the Executive Council, as a General Convention Deputy (1979-1985), and on the Advisory Committee for the House of Deputies (1980-1985). After his consecration, he became the vice president of the House of Bishops (1995-2003), served as the chair of the Editorial Committee in preparing the Black hymnal Lift Every Voice and Sing II, and was a member of the Prayer Book and Liturgy Committee (1991-2000). Bishop Williams retired as bishop diocesan in 2002 and served on the Presiding Bishop’s staff as the Director of Ethnic Congregational Development from 2003 to 2007. He served as Assisting Bishop in the Diocese of Ohio from 2005 to 2023.

In 1986, Williams was consecrated the first Black suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Ohio. As bishop, he chaired the Episcopal Committee for Black Ministry (1988-1990), served on the House of Bishops’ Committee to End Racism (1993-2000), chaired the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee of the Executive Council (1994-1997), and chaired the Commission on Human Sexuality (2000).

Williams had a distinguished career in other areas within The Episcopal Church as well. He was a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance (1980-1991) and a trustee for the General Theological Seminary (1979-1988). As archdeacon, he served as a member of the Executive Council, as a General Convention Deputy (1979-1985), and on the Advisory Committee for the House of Deputies (1980-1985). After his consecration, he became the vice president of the House of Bishops (1995-2003), served as the chair of the Editorial Committee in preparing the Black hymnal Lift Every Voice and Sing II, and was a member of the Prayer Book and Liturgy Committee (1991-2000). Bishop Williams retired as bishop diocesan in 2002 and served on the Presiding Bishop’s staff as the Director of Ethnic Congregational Development from 2003 to 2007. He served as Assisting Bishop in the Diocese of Ohio from 2005 to 2023.