Hiram Williams was born in Pennsylvania. He attended the Williamsport Sketch club and the Art Students League in New York. After fighting in World War II, Williams completed his B.S. and M.Ed at Pennsylvania State. In 1951, he began his career in teaching art and continued until his retirement from the University of Florida in 1982. Williams has won numerous awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and from the University of Florida, the University President’s Bronze Medal. In 1994, Williams was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.