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                                                                    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-4) and related Prospectus of The Williams
Companies, Inc. for the registration of $700 million of Debentures and $400
million of Putable Asset Term Securities and to the incorporation by reference
therein of our report dated February 28, 2001, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements and schedules of The Williams Companies, Inc. included in
its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
March 16, 2001