Colonel Jeffrey N. Williams of the United States Army has had a distinguished career in the US Army and NASA. He is a veteran of four spaceflights, totaling 534 days in space and nearly 32 hours of spacewalks. Colonel Williams is a devout Christian and uses his experiences in orbit and his passion for photography to testify to the power and presence of God our Creator.

Colonel Williams’ military career began in 1980 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. While serving as an Army officer and aviator, Colonel Williams completed his assignment in West Germany, where he served in the 3rd Armored Division’s 503rd Aviation Battalion. Upon returning to the US, he completed a graduate program in Aeronautical Engineering in 1987 and went on to pursue advanced flight training at the Naval Test Pilot School. HE graduated at the top of his class in 1993 and served as an experimental test pilot and the Flight Test Division Chief at Edwards Air Force Base. In total, Colonel Williams accumulated more than 3,100 flight hours in over 50 different aircraft. He retired from active duty in 2007 after more than 27 years of military service.

In addition to his successful military career, Colonel Williams was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1996. He played a vital role in the early development of the International Space Station (ISS) and led the upgrade of the space shuttle cockpit. In 2000, Colonel Williams served as the Flight Engineer and lead spacewalker during his first spaceflight aboard STS-101, a mission devoted to the construction of the space station. He returned to the ISS for Expedition 13 in 2006, where he performed two more spacewalks. During Expeditions 21 and 22 (September 2009 through March 2010), he served as a Flight Engineer before assuming command of the station.

Expeditions 47 and 48, Colonel Williams’ final missions, launched in March 2016. During this flight, Colonel Williams once again assumed command of the International Space Station, completing his fifth spacewalk during his final stay aboard the station. This brought his career total to over 534 days in orbit, which, at the time, set the record for the most cumulative days in space by an American. Throughout his missions, he captured more photographs of Earth than any astronaut before him. He eventually published a book of his work called The Work of His Hands: A View of God’s Creation from Space.

Colonel Williams retired from NASA on January 14, 2024, concluding a 27-year tenure with the agency. He shares his stunning photography and his unique vantage point from space to honor and glorify God’s majesty. He is a frequent speaker and remains active in ministry. He serves on Grace to You’s board of directors and as an elder at Word of Grace Bible Church.

Colonel Williams has earned many distinctions and honors throughout his distinguished career. Some of these honors include two Defense Superior Service Medals, two Legions of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, and four NASA Space Flight Medals.

He lives in Battle Ground, Washington, with his wife Anna-Marie. They have two adult sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.

Education

• BS in Applied Science and Engineering from the US Military Academy at West Point
• MS in Aeronautical Engineering from the US Naval Postgraduate School
• MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College