Mr Howard Hugh Williams was born in St Peter's Port, Guernsey in the Channel Islands around 1884.

He was the son of Samuel William Williams (b. 1846), a basket maker, and his wife Emily (b. 1849), both natives of St Martin's, Guernsey. He had three known siblings: Gilbert (b. 1878), Clifford (b. 1883) and Francis (b. 1887).

The family appear on the 1891 census living at Valnord Bank, St Peter's Port. His father died after this and by the time of the 1901 census Howard and his family are living in Back Street, St Peter's Port and he is described as an assistant butcher.

Around 1909 he was married to Emily Jane Crabb (b. 9 January 1889 in Guernsey, Channel Islands) and the couple had a son, Howard James, the following year. The family appear on the 1911 Channel Island census living at Ponkey Lane, St Clair Hill in Guernsey, which was the home address of his parents-in-law Matthew Thomas Crabb and his wife Margaret Elizabeth, née Robilliard. He was, at the time, described as a ship's steward in the merchant service. Contemporary news reports suggest that he was a driver in the employ of Messrs A. and F. Manuelle, stonemasons.

Howard, known as Harry, boarded the Titanic at Southampton on 10 April 1912 as a third class passenger (ticket number 2466 which cost £8, 1s) and he was travelling with Joseph Duquemin. Another acquaintance, Albert Denbuoy, travelled in second class. Harry was headed to Boston, Massachusetts to work in a shipyard.

Duquemin, the only survivor from their group, stated that he and his friend had helped others until they were waist-deep in water. He turned to Howard to tell him that he was jumping and they went together. Whilst Duquemin managed to swim over to collapsible D, Williams fell victim to the suction.

Howard Hugh Williams was lost in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified. What became of his widow and son is not certain.