‘74 Grad and Lifelong Resident Named NHS Alumnus of the Year

Karen Williams Pryor couldn’t help but have a big smile on her face as she heard her name called along with nice things being said about her.

A Noblesville native who was a varsity cheerleader and played clarinet in her school band and who spent much of her adult life working for a Noblesville air-spring plant, Williams Pryor was named 2022 Noblesville High School Alumnus of the Year.

In 2015, she came onto the NHS Alumni Association board, as vice president, but quickly stepped up into the board president’s position when needed.

“She stepped right in, took over, led our board without even hesitation,” said Peggy Beaver, NHS Class of 1972 and the Alumni Association’s current board president. “Recently, we asked her if she would fill another position for us, which was our secretary position. She, again, jumped right in there, didn’t hesitate.”

Williams Pryor is currently the Alumni Association’s Scholarship Chair and Membership Chair.

“This gal right here, I have labeled her as jack of all trades,” Beaver said during the annual NHS Alumni Banquet on April 30 in the NHS Cafeteria. The NHS Class of 1972 — in addition to the classes of 1970 and 1971 — were recognized during the Alumni Banquet.

Williams Pryor graduated in the NHS Class of 1974. She became a NHS Alumni Association board member in June 2015.

“When she started as our vice president, she actually had to step up into the president’s position, because at that time our president had stepped down for a few short months,” Beaver said.

Williams Pryor has been attending the NHS Alumni Banquet for more than 10 years.

Born and raised in Noblesville, she said, “I’ve lived in Noblesville my whole life.”

And school? “I just enjoyed school and friends … I went to prom … We just had fun. Shopping, learning how to drive and going to ball games.”

What’s kept her here in Noblesville all of these years? “Jobs and family.”

She retired from Firestone Industrial Products, where she worked for 37 years as an executive assistant.

She has two children, Susan (Micah) Beckwith, a former Miss Indiana and Miss America contestant, and Andy Seymour, both of Noblesville; three stepchildren and 12 grandchildren, ages 17 to 1. She is married to Larry Pryor, a North Central High School graduate.

Since retirement, she now enjoys spending more time with her grandchildren.

Hobbies and interests? “Gardening, and I make potholders. I just make them for friends.” She and Larry are members of Harbour Shores Church in Cicero, where she’s involved with the church’s women’s ministry and choir. They’ve been members there for 12 years.

She also visits Life Church in Noblesville, where her son-in-law Micah Beckwith is a minister. “I like his church a lot.” He also ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Indiana’s 5th Congressional District but lost in the Republican Primary in 2020.

Williams Pryor, herself, is a State Convention Delegate for Noblesville Township District 1.

In less than two years, in 2024, Williams Pryor’s class of ‘74 will celebrate 50 years during the NHS Alumni Banquet.

She said, “I’m just very blessed to have so many family and friends who I get to see and enjoy.”

What makes her smile? “That my friends honored me with this award,” she said.  “I was really surprised. I’ve enjoyed contributing but there are so many people who do so many things.”

Williams Pryor said, “I just figured out a way I can serve and be a part of the team.”

– Contact Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com.