William Schley Howard (June 29, 1875–August 1, 1953) was a U.S. Representative from Georgia, cousin of Augustus O. Bacon.
Born in Kirkwood, Georgia, Howard attended Neel's Academy. He was a page in the State house of representatives in 1888 and 1889. Calendar clerk of the Georgia House of Representatives in 1890 and 1891. Private secretary to United States Senator Patrick Walsh of Georgia from August 8, 1894, to February 18, 1895. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1897 and commenced practice in Wrightsville, Georgia. Enlisted in the Third Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry, on July 2, 1898, and served as sergeant during the Spanish-American War. He returned to De Kalb County and resumed the practice of his profession. He served as member of the State house of representatives in 1900 and 1901. He served as solicitor general of the Stone Mountain judicial circuit 1905–1911.
Howard was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-second and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1911–March 3, 1919). He was an unsuccessful candidate in 1918 for nomination for the United States Senate. He resumed the practice of law in Atlanta, Georgia, until his death there on August 1, 1953. He was interred in Decatur Cemetery, Decatur, Georgia.
His grandson, Pierre Howard, served as Lieutenant governor of Georgia from 1991–1999.
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Leonidas F. Livingston |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 5th congressional district March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1919 |
Succeeded by William D. Upshaw |