Williams' seventh minute goal in quagmire conditions also stretched Danny Wilson's side's amazing run to 16 unbeaten games.
They have reeled off 14 wins and two draws in that spell, conceding only four goals in the process, and they needed all that defensive resilience as Torquay fought back bravely in the second half.
Hartlepool were clearly the better side in the first 20 minutes, with James Brown a constant threat on their right wing.
Williams jinked past two defenders and drove the ball under veteran Torquay goalkeeper Kevin Miller to give them the early lead.
Pool passed the ball better and went close to a second goal through Richie Barker and Brown, who forced a fine parry from Miller with a shot on the turn.
But Torquay, with 19-year-old debutant Lloyd Kerry outstanding, refused to admit defeat.
Jamal Easter, Lee Thorpe and Kerry could all have equalised before half-time, Kerry forcing Pool goalie Konstantopoulos to a smart save in the 36th minute.
The second half turned into a long onslaught by Torquay, Kerry giving a non-stop display that belied the muddy conditions, both in midfield and when he was switched up front in the closing stages.
Torquay's Mark Robinson, Lee Mansell and Thorpe all went close. Veteran ex-Palace and Middlesbrough defender Dean Gordon, making his debut, also tested Konstantopoulos from 40 yards.
And in the last minute Kerry hit the post with a searing drive, with Konstantopoulos beaten.
But, with Michael Nelson and Gary Liddle never missing a trick in the heart of the Hartlepool defence, the visitors held out for another important victory, leaving Torquay still five points adrift at the bottom of the table, with only one win from 24 games.
There was also a fine display from referee Andy Penn, who called both managers into his dressing-room at half-time before continuing the match and completed the 90 minutes without brandishing a single card.
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