Secretary-Treasurer, ILA South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District
Bill Williams is the Secretary Treasurer of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), the largest labor union of maritime workers in North America. The ILA is dedicated to ensuring fair labor practices and protecting the rights and jobs of its members.
With over 44 years of experience, Bill has been a committed member of the ILA since 1975. Starting his career while attending South Houston High School, he began working on the docks, shoveling ore and handling cargo with Local 1273. In 1977, he joined the Steamship Clerks and Checkers Local 1351. His career includes significant tenures with Young & Co. (1979-1984), Strachan Shipping (1985-1990), and Sealand (1991-2000). From 2000 to 2015, Bill served as the Chief Clerk-in-Charge at APM Terminal Maersk.
Bill’s dedication, expertise, and leadership culminated in his appointment as District Representative of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District of the ILA in 2015. He was elected Secretary Treasurer of the district in 2017 and re-elected in 2022. Additionally, he was elected International Vice-President in 2019 and re-elected in 2023. In recognition of his contributions, Bill received the “Labor Leader” Award from the ILA Civil, Human, and Women’s Rights Committee in 2022. He also serves as a board member for the ILA 1351 Credit Union and CP Tech, the company that trains longshoremen.
Family, the ILA, and sports define Bill’s life. Outside of his professional responsibilities, his passion for football and baseball has translated into coaching youth sports for 40 years. Many of his players have progressed to professional careers in the NFL and MLB. Bill is proud of his three sons who played college sports and followed in his footsteps, working for the ILA with Local 1351 and Local 1438. Bill has five children, nine grandchildren, and resides with his wife, Robyn, in Deer Park, Texas.