Bill Williamson

"Things are different now, John. Now, I'm in charge! No more Dutch, and no more you!"

Bill Williamson is a recurring character in the Red Dead series, appearing as a central character and one of the primary antagonists in Red Dead Redemption, and as a major character in Red Dead Redemption 2.

With the addition of the Liars and Cheats DLC pack for Red Dead Redemption, Bill Williamson is also a multiplayer character model that may be selected in the 'Damnation' section of the Outfitter.

Background
Bill Williamson was born in 1866 as Marion Williamson; embarrassed by his first name, he would later adopt the name "Bill" after his surname. Bill reveals in camp dialogue that his father slowly lost his mind as he got older, and Bill always lived in fear he would suffer the same fate.

At some point, Bill joined the military and fought against Native Americans, before being dishonorably discharged for deviancy and attempted murder in 1892. He lived rough for two years, drinking heavily and robbing people on the highway. At one point, was robbed by a "woman" (implied to be a cross-dresser). One day, he tried to rob Dutch van der Linde, and was taken aback when Dutch simply laughed at him. Though Bill was angry, Dutch cheered him up and gave him purpose, after which he joined the Van der Linde gang in 1894. Despite this, Bill still vividly remembered the horrifying things he'd seen during his time in the Army.

Bill Williamson was an outlaw gang member and gunman for the Van der Linde gang. He ran with the gang's leader Dutch, committing robberies, raids, murders, kidnappings, and other crimes across the frontier.

In 1899 a botched train robbery leaves Marston wounded and disillusioned. Some time afterward Dutch goes into semi-retirement and Williamson, insane and disillusioned from Dutch's insanity, established his own gang in 1910 after the del Lobos were evacuated they moved into Fort Mercer.

Events of Red Dead Redemption 2
"An ex‐soldier discharged from the army, possibly dishonorably. Hot-headed, he tends to act first and think later but is tough, dedicated and always ready to fight."

- Description by Rockstar Games.

Colter Chapter
Bill was first introduced, when he gets into a argument with Arthur that almost ends in a fight. Dutch breaks up the fight, and then tells them that they are attacking the O'Driscoll gang. Bill will take part in this fight, and later search a house for valuables left behind.

During the Cornwall company train robbery, Bill is unable to get onto the escaping train along with the majority of the gang.

Horseshoe Overlook Chapter
During the Horseshoe Overlook chapter, Bill mostly guards the camp and doesn't venture out to explore much.

Clemens Point chapter
Bill is deputized by Sheriff Leigh Gray, along with Arthur and Dutch. They along with Deputy Archibald MacGregor go and shut down a Lemoyne Raiders' moonshine operation, where Bill and Arthur deal with the Raider reinforcements.

Bill, along with Karen helps mastermind the robbery of the Valentine bank. The two of them, along with Arthur and Lenny break into the bank, steal a large sum of cash, before fighting their way past the law attempting to prevent their escape.

Bill takes part in Uncle's stagecoach robbery along with Arthur and Charles. The heist quickly goes downhill, as uncountable lawman descent upon them. The gang hides in an old barn, but is found by the law. The barn is lit on fire, and they are forced to fight their way out of the barn and engage more lawman in the forest before escaping.

One of his last acts in Clemens Point, is when he, Arthur, Sean, and Micah enter Rhodes to do a job for the Gray Family. Almost immediately after they are ambushed by the Grays, Bill is captured by Sheriff Gray. After Micah and Arthur clear the street of lawman, they rescue Bill and slay the Sheriff. He later takes part in the assault on Braithwaite Manor, in redemption for the capture of Jack.

Saint-Denis Chapter
Bill attends the part at the mayors mansion along with Arthur, Dutch, and Hosea. He quickly grows frustrated after failing to find any leads.

Bill later takes part in the failed bank robbery, where Hosea and Lenny are killed. Along with the remaining gang members, he boards a boat in the harbor destined for the South Pacific.

Guarma Chapter
After the boat sinks, Bill washes up on the shores of Guarma with everyone besides Arthur. Not long after Arthur is found, they are attacked by Guarman troops, and are captured. After they manage to escape with the help of Hercule Fortaine, he rests at La Capilla. Following the battle of Cinco Torres which he took a minimal part in, he is tasked with carrying the still wounded Javier Escuella.

Beaver Hollow Chapter
TBH

Events of Red Dead Redemption
In 1911, Marston has been extorted into hunting down his former brothers in arms, with Bill Williamson being the first target. The hunt for Bill Williamson serves as the impetus for the game's plot and is the central motivating factor throughout the first and partially second act.

New Austin
John and Bill meet once again at Fort Mercer. John has been extorted into pursuing and apprehending Williamson due to his gang's vicious crimes. Edgar Ross and the Bureau of Investigation threaten John's son and wife to force John to complete the task. Marston confronts Williamson from outside the fortified walls, appealing to him to surrender before any harm befalls him. Williamson refuses, has several men put Marston at gunpoint, and berates John for his reformation. John responds by reaching for his revolver, causing one of Williamson's men to open fire and wound him in the lower-right torso. They presume John dead and leave his body to the elements. Hours pass, until ranchers, Bonnie MacFarlane, and Amos discovers him wounded. Bonnie and Amos altruistically take Marston to Nathaniel Johnston, the Armadillo doctor, to treat his wounds. John then recovers quite well after the bullet is removed. In return for a $15 doctor's bill, John agrees to work at the ranch for a short time. However, Bill later discovered that John was alive and living with Bonnie. As revenge, Bill and his followers burned the Macfarlane's barn to the ground.

During that time, Marston recruited some people in New Austin with a cost of helping them. After helping Leigh Johnson, Nigel West Dickens, Seth Briars and Irish, John planned a strategy to raid Bill's hideout. The group breached the fort only to find out that Bill fled to Mexico with the help of another of John's former gangmates, Javier Escuella. The pair was put into the Protection of the local state government.

Nuevo Paraíso
John eventually ventured to Mexico himself and was forced to work with Colonel Allende, the brutal dictator of a region in Mexico called Nuevo Paraiso. Even though Allende promised to deliver Escuella and Williamson to Marston, Allende betrayed Marston and attempted to kill him. Due to the betrayal, John joined with the anti-government rebels led by Abraham Reyes and attacked Allende's villa in Escalera.

Williamson is killed during the battle in the mission "An Appointed Time" while attempting to escape with Agustin Allende in an armed stagecoach. John and Reyes ambush and disable the stagecoach before they could escape. Allende betrays Bill by pulling him out of the stagecoach and pinning him to the ground. Attempting to bargain with Marston and Reyes by trading Bill's life for his own. Both Williamson and Allende are then gunned down by John Marston and Abraham Reyes. If Marston hesitates to shoot Bill, Reyes will shoot Allende first. Bill will begin to approach John claiming that he has surrendered and will "come quietly" before suddenly reaching for his pistol. To which he will be shot dead by either John or Reyes. Edgar Ross and Archer Fordham are informed about his death and require John to return to Blackwater.

Personality
"That man is a stone-cold killer.” “Williamson is a proud fool."

- Leigh Johnson and John Marston regarding Bill. During his time in the Van der Linde Gang, Bill Williamson was loyal to Dutch and the gang and was a respectable member. Because Dutch gave him purpose, Bill is loyal to him to a fault, and staunchly supports Dutch's every decision, even after Dutch starts going insane. He is also shown to be driven by the desire to prove himself, though he often falls short because of his recklessness and lack of intelligence. Originally a friend and brother-in-arms of John, Bill's friendship with him soon turned into rivalry over Dutch's attention. By 1899 their rivalry evolved into hatred, and Bill, along with the other fellow criminals, left John to die in a miserably failed robbery.

By the time he left the gang, he became a ruthless and ambitious man, power-hungry, self-serving and greedy by nature, as well as lacking any morals or conscience. His ruthlessness and immorality were shown through countless acts of crime and intimidation, including arson, kidnapping, murder, and likely rape.

Throughout his life as a criminal, Bill became both respected and feared by the people and criminals of New Austin, with Bonnie even calling him "the worst bandit in the county". Many criminals and bandits such as Norman Deek chose to follow Williamson, making him one of the most dangerous and powerful criminals in the area.

Despite his cruelty and inhumane acts throughout his career, Bill has displayed a softer side of himself; after learning of Jack Marston's kidnapping by the Braithwaite family, Bill offered himself to participate in the rescue, despite having no obligation to do so, or even being asked to join in the rescue. In later years, Bill became something of a coward, likely stemming from paranoia. He is shown to lack any sense of loyalty for his comrades or associates, unlike his time in the Van der Linde Gang. During each of his encounters with John throughout the events of Red Dead Redemption, Bill rarely fights directly against his former friend, preferring to send his men after him instead. Bill is also quick to run away upon understanding the threat upon his life and will do anything to escape death.

Appearance
Bill is a large and heavyset man, though by 1899 he has started tuning somewhat fat. He has brown hair and a bushy beard. Though not bald, his hair is clearly falling out. By 1911, Bill is shown to be partially bald, with his remaining hair and beard flaked with patches of gray. He also seems to be missing some teeth and appears to have lost a considerable amount of weight, probably as a result of his lifestyle. His most noticeable piece of clothing is his hat, which he wears pinned on one side.

Mission Appearances

 * Red Dead Redemption
 * "Exodus in America"
 * "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Bandit"
 * "An Appointed Time"


 * Red Dead Redemption 2
 * "Outlaws from the West"
 * "Old Friends"
 * "Who the Hell is Leviticus Cornwall?"
 * "Eastward Bound"
 * "Americans at Rest"
 * "Paying a Social Call"
 * "American Distillation"
 * "An Honest Mistake"
 * "Sodom? Back to Gomorrah"
 * "A Short Walk in a Pretty Town"
 * "Blood Feuds, Ancient and Modern"
 * "The Battle of Shady Belle"
 * "The Gilded Cage"
 * "Country Pursuits"
 * "Revenge is a Dish Best Eaten"
 * "Banking, The Old American Art"
 * "Welcome to the New World"
 * "Hell Hath No Fury"
 * "Paradise Mercifully Departed"
 * "Fleeting Joy"
 * "That's Murfree Country"
 * "My Last Boy"
 * "Our Best Selves"
 * "Red Dead Redemption"

Single-player
"Do I look like I need saving?"

"You always did have a high opinion of yourself, John. Dutch always said you were an arrogant son of a bitch!"

- to John Marston

"Get 'em boys!"

- orders his gang to attack John Marston and the Marshals

"I didn't kill you before, John, but I sure as shit will now!"

- threatening John Marston

"Well, you never tried to save me before. You only seemed to save yourself."

"Go away now, John. Don't make me kill you."

"Implores. I, I implores you to go back and tell them to send someone just a little bit more impressive next time."

- to John Marston

"You must think I was born yesterday. You always did think I was an idiot."

- to John Marston

"Poor John..."

- Bill Williamson to John, after one of Bill's men shot John

"You always was weak minded."

"Jack probably ain't even your son. Ha Ha!"

"It ain't over.... Till it's over!"

- in the movie

"Go then! I cover you."

- and Allende about to escape

"Nobody wanted you around John!"

- to John Marston

"Dutch, Javier and I wanted you dead! We all did."

- giving the reason for leaving John

"You always was a traitor ya bastard orphan!"

"I always knew you were a coward."

"Whould you hurry up?"

- to Allende when about to escape

"What the hell are ya doing?"

- to Allende

"You implore me? He, he you implore."

"Alright, John, I-I-I'll-I'll come quietly."

- 's last words

Multiplayer

 * "I sure miss that whore of yours!"
 * "I always was more clever than you, hahahahaha!"
 * "I've been waitn' for this!"
 * "Go home to your whore wife!"
 * "Son of a bitch!"
 * "Go on, hit me, you coward!"
 * "I'll blow your damn brains out!"
 * "This time, I'll make sure you're dead!"
 * "You always was frightened of me!"
 * "This was the way it was always going to be, old friend."
 * "Who the hell do you think you are?"
 * "I'll cut you open!"
 * "You're still a scared little boy!"
 * "I aint' goin' to jail for you ya' son of a bitch!"
 * "You always was a coward!"
 * "I'll kill you twice you bastard!"
 * "You always was weak-minded!"

Trivia

 * Bill appears to have been less educated than John and Dutch, taking offense at John's larger vocabulary in their first encounter at Fort Mercer. Namely, the word "implore."
 * Bill is partly bald, revealed during his final appearance, when Allende shoves him out of the wagon, his hat falls off, revealing his baldness. It can also be seen by shooting off his hat, or by playing Poker or Liar's Dice with him in Multiplayer.
 * Bill does not appear in Undead Nightmare physically, but he is mentioned by John while talking to Mother Superior.
 * Most, if not all, of Bill's multiplayer quotes, seems to be directed at John.
 * The pin which holds the side of Bill's hat up bears the symbol of the Freemasons (The Square and Compasses).
 * The name William Williamson suggests that he has a Welsh heritage since giving one's children the same first and surname was a tradition in Wales in the 17th-20th centuries.
 * In RDRII, it is revealed that Bill's birth name was Marion and that he changed it to William (Bill) because he found it embarrassing.
 * In Undead Nightmare among the writings on the walls of buildings in Blackwater one writing reads "Things are different now." These are some of the words that Williamson said to John before wounding him at Fort Mercer.
 * His name could be a reference to famed Italian Western film director, Sergio Leone, who for his early films, went by the screen name of Bob Robertson, which is similar to Bill's name in that the last name is the same as his full first name with 'son' added on the end (e.g. Robert Robertson-William Williamson).
 * In an interview with Retroplayer, Steve J. Palmer the voice actor of Bill Williamson; compared the relationship between John Marston and Bill Williamson to that of siblings. With Dutch being more of a "parental figure." While stating that Bill was envious of John's relationship with Abigail and bitter that she chose Marston over him. Steve went on to say that John was once a positive moral influence on Bill and that once John left the gang, Bill began to "tailspin out of control." without John's moral support.
 * Bill states that the reason he joined Dutch's cause is that he saw what power can do to people while he was in the army. This foreshadows his own fate, as 12 years later Bill becomes a ruthless megalomaniac and a shadow of his former self while being in charge of his own gang.
 * Bill doesn't appear to know that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

Related Content
de: Bill Williamson es: Bill Williamson fr: Bill Williamson it: Bill Williamson nl: Bill Williamson ru: Билл Уилльямсон