Dr. Williams earned a BA (Religious Studies) from Dallas Baptist College, then earned two degrees at Denver Seminary. He taught for 17 years at Colorado Christian University while earning two degrees from Drew University, including a PhD in Theological Ethics. It was during this time that a long collaboration and friendship began with Dr. John Franke and the late Dr. Stanley Grenz.

Dr. Williams was born in Sherman, Texas; he married Jeanne Louise (Adkins) in 1982, and they have two sons, Matthew and Andrew. The family moved to Edmonton in 2004 when David accepted a position as Academic Vice-President of Taylor University College. As a respected scholar and theologian, he is particularly interested in engaging the post-modern context, and is an outspoken advocate for social justice.