Glen Norman Williams was born in Brisbane in 1938. He attended St Joesph's College, Gregory Terrace. After high school he enrolled at The University of Queensland and graduated with Bachelor degrees in Arts (with first class honours in political science, 1959) and Laws (with first class honours 1962). After graduating he was admitted as a barrister of the Supreme Court. He practiced for 20 years and took silk in 1978.

In 1982 he was appointed Judge to the Supreme Court (after acting in the position). He was made a court of appeal Judge of the Solomon Islands in 1993. In 2000 he was appointed a Judge of Appeal. He retired from the Court in 2008.

In 2001 Williams was awarded a Centenary Medal and in 2006 was appointed to the Office of the Order of Australia.