William Peterson may refer to:

Academics

• William H. Peterson (1921–2012), economist, writer, and speaker following the ideas of Ludwig von Mises
• William Peterson (academic) (1856–1921), Scottish academic and Principal of McGill University, Canada
• William Peterson (priest), Dean of Carlisle, and of Exeter
• W. Wesley Peterson (1924–2009), American mathematician and computer scientist

Politicians

• William Peterson (MP) (died 1578), Member of Parliament (MP) for Lewes
• William E. Peterson (born 1936), Republican member of the Illinois Senate
• William H. Peterson (politician), member of the 1865–1867 California State Assembly

Sports

• Bill Peterson (1920–1993), American football coach
• Bill Peterson (linebacker) (born 1945), American football player
• Bill Peterson (basketball) (born 1957), director of basketball operations at Baylor University
• William James (American football) (William James Peterson, Jr., born 1979), American football cornerback
• William Peterson (footballer), British footballer in the early 20th-century