Judge James Carlyle Williams, Jr. was born December 20, 1943, near Norway, South Carolina, and has lived there all of his life. His mother, the late Lois Martin Williams, was a career school teacher. His father, now deceased, was a life-long farmer and a leader in agricultural interests in South Carolina. He has two brothers, two sisters and three godsons.

Judge Williams graduated from Norway High School where he was Salutatorian. He received his B.S. degree in Dairy Science from Clemson University in 1965. He was a member of Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Zeta and Phi Kappa Phi honorary fraternities. He served as chairman of the Agricultural Council, President of the Dairy Science Club, Editor of the Agrarian and was twice elected to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. He was elected to the Tiger Brotherhood and served as Secretary of Blue Key National Fraternity. In 1965, he was selected the Outstanding Dairy Science Student in the United States after having served as President of the National Student Branch of the American Dairy Science Association.

After graduation from Clemson, Judge Williams was a farmer - first in the dairy business and later as a hog farmer. In September of 1976, he entered the USC Law School as a full time commuting student while he continued to operate his hog farm. While at law school he was a member of the Mock Trial team which finished in the top four in National competition.

Judge Williams served 23 years as Mayor or member of the town council of the Town of Norway. He served as a member of the Orangeburg County United Fund Board of Directors and as President of the Norway Ruritan Club. He has served as Sunday School teacher and Chairman of the Board of Deacons at both Norway Baptist Church and Denmark First Baptist and still teaches an adult class in Denmark.

He was a founding board member of Heritage Hall Academy in Norway and served as its President for about 20 years. He was President of the South Carolina Independent School Association for 15 years and retired from this position in May, 2000.

Upon graduation from law school, he practiced general law in Orangeburg until he accepted a position as Chief Deputy Solicitor for the First Judicial Circuit on January 1, 1993. He handled all criminal prosecution in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties and reduced the case backlog from 2500 cases to 800 cases while the total case load increased by one-third. Judge Williams was elected Resident Circuit Judge for the First Judicial Circuit in June, 1998. He has completed both the General Jurisdiction and Advanced Evidence courses at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada.

Judge Williams lives on his farm near Norway where he grows soybeans, bermuda, and centipede sod. He enjoys Clemson sports, visiting Lakes Keowee and Jocasee, spending time with his godsons and flying his Piper Cherokee Six. He has a lighted 3700 foot grass air strip in his front yard and keeps his airplane hangared nearby.