Noah Williams III; School Co-Founder

Noah Williams III, who co-founded Highland Hall School in Northridge and taught there for many years, has died at his Sun Valley home. He was 72.

Williams died Saturday of heart failure, said his son, Noah (Quatro) Williams IV of Canyon Country.

Born in Los Angeles, Williams graduated from Los Angeles High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from UCLA. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and later earned a master’s degree in education from Adelphi University in New York.

Williams returned to California and taught in public schools, including Camellia Avenue School in North Hollywood. In 1954, Williams co-founded Highland Hall School in North Hollywood, which moved to Northridge in 1967. He taught at the school until the mid-1980s and in recent years had prepared student teachers for the Waldorf Institute of Southern California. Presently, 370 students attend kindergarten through 12th-grade classes at the non-sectarian school, said Williams’ son, who teaches at the school.

In addition to his son, Noah, Williams is survived by a son, Dana Williams of Sun Valley; a sister, and three grandchildren. His wife, Mary Jane Williams, died in October.

A funeral was held Tuesday. J. T. Oswald Mortuary in North Hollywood handled the arrangements. Donations can be made in Williams’ name to the Tuition Assistance Fund, in care of Highland Hall School, 17100 Superior St., Northridge 91325.