The second principal of Williams, Lester R. Ridenhour (1915–1985) served from 1957 to 1960. He had served as principal of Broad Street School (the former campus of Burlington High School), and prior to that as assistant principal of Williams. In 1983, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award from East Carolina University, where he had completed degrees in 1939 and 1949. While at East Carolina, he played baseball, football, basketball, and tennis. He was inducted into the East Carolina University Sports Hall of Fame in 1979 (www.ecupirates.com). The Lester R. Ridenhour Memorial Scholarship is presented to residents of Alamance County who attend East Carolina University.