Leonard John Williams was educated at Bideford Grammar School and later began his career in the National Provincial Bank where he rose to become general manager and then Vice-President of the Institute of Bankers. His considerable experience in finance was an enormous benefit to the College when he was elected to the Court of Patrons and became the first lay member of the Finance Committee in 1956. It was due to Williams that the pension scheme for staff of the College was introduced and he continued this work within the meaning of his motto 'Look after those from whom you wish to elicit the best'. In 1968 a citation was delivered by Sir Thomas Holmes Sellors on the occasion of his presentation with an Honorary Fellowship of the College in recognition of his help, advice and friendship. He died on 18 December 1975.