[3] It is named for Richard Lee Williams, a former school principal and firefighter who died while fighting the Doxol disaster in 1973.

At the start of February 2010, workers began to gut the old White Cliffs,[5] with the middle school being moved to a new campus.

A $22 million, 17-month project thus began to convert, remodel, and update White Cliffs into a new, second comprehensive high school for Kingman.

The renovation preserved some elements of the past, such as the "Mohave County Union High School 1917" monument sign, as well as the aforementioned gym.

[6] During construction of the high school, workers digging a trench behind the bleachers unearthed seven coffins along with personal items such as cuff links and jewelry.

As Arizona's budget situation worsened, concern over whether Kingman Unified School District had the funds to operate Lee Williams emerged.