R. L. Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts, and is qualified to become an ordained minister. He passed the Alabama bar exam and practiced law in multiple locations before settling in Indian Territory. Williams played a significant role in the Democratic Party in eastern Oklahoma and was a delegate at the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention. He served as the first chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and later as Governor of Oklahoma, where he implemented economic reforms and addressed the Guinn v. United States Supreme Court case. Following his governorship, Williams was appointed to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma and later to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

R. L. Williams's political career is marked by a calculated approach to economic and administrative reforms, blending progressive fiscal policies with unexpected judicial stances. His tenure as governor saw a mix of tax reforms and budget cuts alongside progressive social reforms, revealing a nuanced strategy to balance state finances while enhancing public welfare. Williams's judicial appointments and his handling of the Guinn v. United States case illustrate a commitment to civil rights that juxtaposes his otherwise conservative economic measures. This combination of fiscal prudence with progressive civil rights advocacy creates a compelling tension in his political identity, inviting deeper inquiry into his motivations and strategic thinking.