Williamson High School began in 1916 as a small neighborhood school, the first

in Maysville. The school was housed in the Sons and Daughters of Honor Hall
located on Weinacker Avenue near Virginia Street. George Hall, the first teacher,
led the school until his death, then Louella Banks became principal. Lillie B.
Williamson and a faculty of six teachers succeeded her. After Miss Williamsons
death, the school was renamed in her honor. Eliza Thompson was principal for
the next 27 years until she retired in 1948. Lemuel K. Keeby then became
principal of Williamson, which only served grades one through seven. Over the
next few years, a high school was added to accommodate growth in the Maysville
community. The high school saw its first graduating class in 1958. In 1968 the
building was expanded to its present capacity. Under Mr. Keebys leadership,
enrollment rose to more than 1200 students with 67 faculty members. Mr. Keeby
served as principal of Williamson for 30 years until his death in 1978. The next
principal, Fred N. Green Jr., led Williamson into a new era. The addition of
technology, the Academy of Public Service (one of only six in the nation), Project
Pass, and a voluntary uniform policy were a few of the innovative programs Mr.
Green introduced. He retired in July 1996 after 18 years as principal. In July 1996,
Robert Likely became principal. That fall, Williamson was re-evaluated by the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and met all requirements
for accreditation. In the fall of 1996, Williamson faced a new challenge-preparing
students to pass the Alabama Graduation Exit Exam mandated by the state
legislature. That year, Mobile County Public Schools also abandoned the
traditional 50-minute class periods for the 98-minute block schedule. Mr. Kim D.
Staley was principal for the 1999-2000 school year, also the first year of the
Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Grant based on the High Schools
That Work model. In July 2000, Mr. Terrence S. Mixon, Sr., was named principal of
Williamson High School. That fall, Mr. Mixon oversaw a massive re-staffing;
instituted several new incentive programs designed to encourage and reward
student achievement; and took a leadership role in promoting a tax referendum to
relieve Mobile's funding crisis. Alsounder Mr. Mixon's leadership, Williamson will
begun a $5 million remodeling project in the fall of 2001.
Notable alumni (November 2015)
Rich Caster, former American football wide receiver and tight end Antonio
Coleman, professional football defensive end Lonnie Johnson, inventor who
holds 80 patents, known for inventing the Super Soaker[2] Nick Fairley, defensive
tackle for the New Orleans Saints[3] Tee Martin, former NFL quarterback and
current wide receivers coach for the University of Southern California Matt
McCants, offensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders John Mitchell, former
professional football player and current assistant head coach/defensive line
coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers Pete Myers, former
professional basketball player and assistant coach with the Golden State
Warriors JaMarcus Russell, former NFL quarterback.