Clayton Epes Williams was born in Woodstock, Virginia in 1890. He took two years of liberal arts and two years of law at Washington and Lee, receiving his LL.B in 1912. After law firm practice in Woodstock, he joined the W&L law faculty in 1919. He holds the record for the longest period of actual teaching in the law school -- just short of fifty years.

He became acting dean in 1944 following Moreland's death. He was named dean in 1946. Under Williams' administration the Tucker lecture series was established, a chapter of the Order of the Coif was begun, the Student Bar Association was started, and the law school began competing in the National Moot Court Competition. Standards were raised to meet the increased requirements of the AALS and ABA.

After stepping down as dean, Williams returned to teaching at W&L as Distinguished Lecturer. He continued to teach until a few weeks before his death in March 1968.