Ellsworth “Tony” Williams was born in Fort Hood, Texas, and raised as a military dependent to a career Vietnam Army combat veteran. Immersed in military culture from birth, he spent more than 44 years in a military environment.

Tony is a retired U.S. Army combat veteran who honorably served over 24 years on active duty—8 years enlisted and 16 years commissioned. His distinguished service includes combat and operational deployments during Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Throughout his career, he earned numerous military decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal and three Meritorious Service Medals (MSM). He retired in 2007 at the rank of Major.

Following retirement, Tony remained deeply committed to serving the veteran community. He transitioned into behavioral health, earning a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Troy University. In April 2014, he founded Veterans Counseling Veterans, Inc. (VCV) and currently serves as its President and CEO.

Veterans Counseling Veterans is a nonprofit organization led by veterans from all branches of the military who work in the behavioral health profession. VCV’s primary mission is to prevent veteran suicide by supporting the mental wellness of military members, veterans, and their families through Teaching, Education, Advocacy, Mentoring, and Service (TEAMS).

Tony’s leadership and advocacy have earned him numerous professional recognitions, including the 2021 Hillsborough Veterans Council Spirit Award, the 2015 Florida Mental Health Counselors Association (FMHCA) Poster Board Award for “The Military Dependent and War,” and the 2014 National Social Service Award from the American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA).

On November 14, 2023, Ellsworth “Tony” Williams was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame, recognizing his lifelong dedication to military service, veteran advocacy, and suicide prevention.

Tony actively serves on numerous veteran and community boards and councils, including:

• Hillsborough Veterans Council
• Pinellas County Community Veterans Engagement Board
• Polk County Veterans Council
• Hillsborough County Community Assessment Committee (Stakeholder)
• Saint Petersburg College Suicide Prevention Task Force
• Hillsborough County Military, Veterans, and Family Suicide Prevention Committee (Training Committee Chair)
• American Legion Central Area Command – Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Chair
• Former Florida American Legion District 15 Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Chair
• Former Florida Mental Health Counselor Association Military Affairs Committee Chair
• Gamma Eta Sigma, Phi Beta Sigma – Military Affairs Committee Chair
• St. Petersburg NAACP Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Chair

Tony is married to Thelma Williams, a retired Police Detective from Plainfield, New Jersey.

Education

• General Education Diploma (GED)
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Temple University, Philadelphia
• Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, Troy University