Bill Williamson never went to North High School, but he is thoroughly aware of its history and traditions. Williamson, who grew up in Oildale where he remains today, watched the construction and development of North High school. In 1955, two years after the school opened, his father, George Williamson, became the second principal of NHS and served in that capacity until 1965.
Williamson played football on the 1959 Bakersfield College Renegade National Championship team, went on to play at Utah State and was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams. He returned home to Oildale with his wife, Lois, and daughter Lora. Shortly after his return he had a son, Greg. Both children went on to be “Stars” graduating in 1980 and 1982 respectively.
After obtaining a job at the Kern County Probation Department, where he eventually became Chief from 1988 to 1994, Williamson had a deep desire to serve the Oildale community. He initially fulfilled this desire by becoming a football coach in the Jack Frost Football League. He coached the Highlanders and Cowboys which were the “feeder” football teams to North High School. This provided him the opportunity to prepare young men for their future at North High and beyond. He coach hundreds of future North High Stars and had a lasting impact on the life of each individual he the chance to mentor. While volunteering in this capacity, Williamson developed numerous lifelong friendships and relationships with North High students, parents, coaches, teachers, administrators and the Oildale community.
Williamson was an active member of the North High School Athletic Booster Club from 1967 until 1986. During this time you could always find “Big Bill” on Friday nights sitting at the top of the Southeast corner of “Eliades Field” cheering on the Stars at their home football games.
Utilizing his unique skill of motivation to bring people together, Williamson was able to inspire those with the common cause of promoting North High School athletics to become involved through volunteerism and fundraising. He was involved in the development of numerous fundraising efforts. Everything from the Athletic Booster Club BBQ booth at football games to reverse draw events Williamson was at the forefront to ensure North High Athletes had community support and the best equipment money could buy.
During his tenure on the North High School Athletic Booster Club, Williamson was directly responsible for raising tens of thousands of dollars to support North High School athletics. One of his greatest accomplishments includes his involvement and constant oversight of the construction of the first North High School weight room.
Williamson also understood the importance of academic achievement for all North High athletes. He was responsible for the development of the “Star Award” for all athletic programs which was given to the student athlete on each team who excelled both in the classroom and on the field.
Most of all Williamson was a friend to North High School Athletics. His ability to rally people together was perhaps his biggest accomplishment. Through continued fundraising and social events, including the annual coach’s retreat, Williamson developed numerous relationships with his North High family. Many of these “Star Quality” relationships still exist today.