William Farris (circa 1705-circa 1757) was a merchant and local officeholder in colonial Wilmington. He served as town representative in the Assembly from 1739 to 1745. In 1755, he served as foreman of a "Grand Inquest for the Counties of New Hanover, Onslow, Bladen, Anson, Duplin, Rowan and Cumberland." The inquest penned a letter to newly-arrived royal governor Arthur Dobbs, welcoming him to the province. His name also sometimes appears as "Farris," and it seems he additionally served as postmaster of North Carolina up until his death.