I'm not as willing to grant Williams a pass for several reasons.

First, he knows that his responsibility as a network reporter is to be as factually accurate as possible. Walter Cronkite, for instance, would not have confabulated, or lied, and that's why he was trusted. Williams is paid to be accurate and trusted. Unfortunately, Williams has destroyed himself, not as a friend, not as a neighbor, not as a father or son, but as a reporter. He's toast.

Second, he's been inaccurate very close to the time of the event. And it was the sort of thing one doesn't forget. He knowingly deceived his public. Some of the embellishments may be the result of the fog of time, but the base of it all is a conscious lie.

He is human, and a good guy, I'm sure, and he has done nothing which isn't understandable. He would be a good friend. AND, he's not qualified anymore to be a reporter on the national scene.