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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>/in/edgar/work/20000724/0000950134-00-005872/0000950134-00-005872.txt : 20000921
<SEC-HEADER>0000950134-00-005872.hdr.sgml : 20000921
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950134-00-005872
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20000724
ITEM INFORMATION:		
ITEM INFORMATION:		
FILED AS OF DATE:		20000724

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WILLIAMS COMPANIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000107263
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	 [4922
]		IRS NUMBER:				730569878
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231
</COMPANY-DATA>

		FILING VALUES:
			FORM TYPE:		8-K
			SEC ACT:		
			SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04174
			FILM NUMBER:		677741
</FILING-VALUES>

			BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
				STREET 1:		ONE WILLIAMS CTR
				CITY:			TULSA
				STATE:			OK
				ZIP:			74172
				BUSINESS PHONE:		9185732000
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>

				MAIL ADDRESS:	
					STREET 1:		ONE WILLIAM CENTER
					CITY:			TULSA
					STATE:			OK
					ZIP:			74172
</MAIL-ADDRESS>

					FORMER COMPANY:	
						FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	WILLIAMS BROTHERS COMPANIES
						DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710817
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</FILER>
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>e8-k.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT



                         Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 24, 2000
                                                 --------------



                          The Williams Companies, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



         Delaware                     1-4174                   73-0569878
         --------                     ------                   ----------
     (State or other               (Commission              (I.R.S. Employer
     jurisdiction of               File Number)            Identification No.)
     incorporation)



     One Williams Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma                         74172
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
     (Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)



        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 918/573-2000
                                                            ------------



                                 Not Applicable
                                 --------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


<PAGE>   2

Item 5. Other Events.

        The Williams Companies, Inc., (the "Company") announced that its Board
of Directors had authorized management to pursue a course of action that, if
successful and approved by the Board, would lead to a complete separation of the
Company's energy and communications businesses.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

        The Company files the following exhibit as part of this report:

        Exhibit 99. Copy of the Company's press release, dated July 24, 2000,
                    publicly announcing the information reported herein.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                         THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.


Date: July 24, 2000                      /s/ SHAWNA L. GEHRES
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:  Shawna L. Gehres
                                         Title: Corporate Secretary


                                       2
<PAGE>   3

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
    NO.             DESCRIPTION
- -----------         -----------
<S>                 <C>
    99              Copy of the Company's press release, dated July 24, 2000,
                    publicly announcing the information reported herein.
</TABLE>

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>ex99.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 24, 2000
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 99


NEWS RELEASE                                                     [WILLIAMS LOGO]

NYSE:WMB

================================================================================

<TABLE>
<S>       <C>                             <C>                                <C>
Date:     July 24, 2000


Contact:  Jim Gipson                      Rick Rodekohr                      Richard George
          Williams (media inquiries)      Williams (investor inquiries)      Williams (investor inquiries)
          (918) 573-2111                  (918) 573-2087                     (918) 573-3679
          jim.gipson@williams.com         rick.rodekohr@williams.com         richard.george@williams.com
</TABLE>

            WILLIAMS BOARD OKs PRELIMINARY STEPS TO SEPARATE ENERGY,
                           COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES

        TULSA, OKLA. -- The board of directors of Williams (NYSE:WMB) on Sunday
authorized management to pursue a course of action that, if successful and
approved by the board, would lead to a complete separation of the company's
energy and communications businesses.

        Keith E. Bailey, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said
that while the specific course of action has not been determined, it is
envisioned the process would take no more than 18 months. He said any change
from the current ownership structure would be contingent upon a number of
factors, including ensuring favorable tax treatment for Williams' shareholders.

        "We believe these steps are the best way to ensure that both our energy
and communications businesses have the efficient and effective access to the
capital necessary to pursue the substantial growth opportunities that each
enjoys," he said. "Obviously, the ability to do that is consistent with the best
long-term interest of our shareholders."

        Last October, Williams sold a portion of Williams Communications (NYSE:
WCG) in public and private equity offerings. Williams retains ownership of
approximately 85 percent of Williams Communications.

        Bailey said the company would not immediately have further comment on
this issue beyond the information contained in this news release.

ABOUT WILLIAMS

Williams, through its subsidiaries, connects businesses to energy and
communications. The company delivers innovative, reliable products and services
through its extensive networks of energy-distributing pipelines and high-speed
fiber-optic cables. Williams information is available at www.williams.com.

                                       ###


Portions of this document may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined
by federal law. Although the company believes any such statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be
materially different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the "safe
harbor" protections provided under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995.
Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in
performance is contained in the company's annual reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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