Artist and teacher working in various media, born and lived in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he attended the College of Art, 1958–64. He was also associated with the Open University, 1973–6. Lectured in art education at Ulster College. McWilliams was co-founder of the Troubled Image group in 1973 and in his work took a wry look at the troubled political scene in the province; his pictures could have a strong element of pattern, employing symbols such as the chevron and the rainbow. In 1989 McWilliams retired as senior lecturer in art and design at the University of Ulster to paint and with his wife, the artist Catherine McWilliams, manage the Cavehill Gallery, Belfast. He was elected RUA, 1994, and became its president. Exhibitions included Municipal Gallery of Modern Art in Dublin, Tom Caldwell Gallery in Belfast and Playhouse Gallery, Leeds.