Williams, a native of Morganton, served as athletic director and coach for a variety of sports at East Mecklenburg High School from 1957 to 1990.

After retiring from high school coaching and teaching, Williams was named head baseball coach at Catawba College. He won two South Atlantic Conference championships and received Coach of the Year Awards on two occasions.

For the past four years, Williams, of 2305 Berkshire Drive, headed the Catawba College Chiefs Club, the athletic booster organization for the college.

Williams is survived by his wife Paula and sons Richard “Chip” of Mooresville and Mark of Charlotte and four grandsons.

Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Saturday at Summersett Funeral Home. The funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Catawba College’s Omwake-Dearborn Chapel.

Williams, a 1957 Catawba graduate, played football for the Indians. He played professional baseball in the New York Giants farm system and was ineligible to play baseball in college.

Upon graduation, he was named athletic coach at East Mecklenburg. He held the position for 31 years, and he coached as head coach of every sport from football to girls softball at the school.

Williams established the Metrolina Relays in Charlotte, an annual track meet for local high schools. It was renamed the Dick Williams Relay in his honor in 1988.

When he retired, he returned to Catawba to serve as baseball coach. He guided the Indians to back-to-back South Atlantic Conference championships in 1992-93, including a perfect 21-0 conference record in 1992.

The 1992 team, which had a 38-7 record, had the highest winning percentage in NCAA Division II and set 33 school records. His teams won 25 consecutive games over a two-year period.

The Indians won 137 games and lost only 69 under his leadership during a five-year period.

“It is great to be associated with Catawba again after all these years,” said Williams when he was named coach of the Tribe baseball team.

“Not many people get to start another career so soon after concluding one and I feel fortunate to have this opportunity.”

Williams was recruited by Catawba out of Morganton High, where he was a three-sport star. He signed a pro baseball contract with after batting .510 during his senior year in 1947.

After a tour with the Army, Williams came home and learned that Catawba wanted him to play football. He played two years of football at Catawba. He also served as student assistant coach.

Williams, one of the most popular figures in high school athletics, served as president of the North Carolina High School Coaches Association in 1974 and also held the same office with the North Carolina High School Athletic Directors Association.

Williams was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for distinguished service in 1977, and was named the N.C. Athletic Director of the Year in 1978.