Paul “Billy” Williams was not only a great athlete at Indiana State but an administrator even while a student at ISU. Williams was a standout guard and team captain of the 1916-17 State Normal basketball squad. The following season he was named captain of the team but did not play as he re-enlisted as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
After returning from the war, Williams was the State Normal student athletic director and the captain of the 1918-19 team that went 6-2 and won the City Championship over Rose Polytechnic. He also played baseball for the Sycamores.
After finishing at ISU, Williams became a founder of much of the Ball State athletic program as he launched the basketball, football and cross country programs at the school as athletic director from 1921-1958. Williams was also the Dean of Men for four years, in addition to coaching basketball, baseball, football and cross country during his tenure. His largest coaching role was in the baseball program as he led the Cardinals from 1922-1958.