The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) 10-K 2011 FY Annual report

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following registration statements on Form S-3 and related prospectuses of The Williams Companies, Inc. and in the following registration statements on Form S-8 of our reports dated February 27, 2012 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of The Williams Companies, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of The Williams Companies, Inc., included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2011:

Form S-3:
Registration Statement Nos. 333-29185, 333-106504, and 333-159559
Form S-8:
Registration Statement No. 333-03957 -	The Williams Companies, Inc. 1996 Stock
	Plan for Non-Employee Directors
Registration Statement No. 333-40721 -	The Williams Companies, Inc. 1996
	Stock Plan for Nonofficer Employees
Registration Statement No. 333-51994 -	The Williams Companies, Inc. 1996
	Stock Plan for Nonofficer Employees
Registration Statement No. 333-85542 -	The Williams Investment Plus Plan
Registration Statement No. 333-85546 -	The Williams Companies, Inc. 2002
	Incentive Plan
Registration Statement No. 333-142985 -	The Williams Companies, Inc. Employee
	Stock Purchase Plan and The Williams
	Companies, Inc. 2007 Incentive Plan
Registration Statement No. 333-167123 -	The Williams Companies, Inc. 2007
	Incentive Plan

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma

February 27, 2012