EXHIBIT 23.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of The Williams
Companies, Inc. for the registration of $1,500,000,000 of Debt and Equity
Securities and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
February 28, 2001, except for the matters described in Note 3, as to which the
date is April 23, 2001, with respect to the consolidated financial statements
and schedules of The Williams Companies, Inc. included in its Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2001.

                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
November 9, 2001