Stockholders of Williams Cos. Inc. on Aug. 9 voted to approve the company's $10.49 billion share registration that will pave the way for its merger deal with its master limited partnership Williams Partners LP.

Shareholders also approved an amendment to Williams' amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would increase the number of authorized shares of the company's common stock, according to an Aug. 9 news release. More than 99% of shares that voted approved the two changes.

The special meeting of shareholders was one of the key pieces to moving the deal forward. The merger is expected to close Aug. 10, with Williams Partners common units set to no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange, effective Aug. 13.

Williams on May 17 said it intended to roll up its master limited partnership by acquiring the 256 million Williams Partners shares it does not already own.