William Paul Cole III (born May 16, 1956) is an American businessman, politician and a former Republican member of the West Virginia Senate, representing the 6th district from 2013 to 2017.

[2] He lost the election to Jim Justice and was succeeded by Mitch Carmichael as Senate President.

After earning his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Northwood University, Cole returned to Bluefield, West Virginia, to work in his family business operated by his father, Paul Cole, who was Bluefield, West Virginia's longest-serving mayor.

In 2012, Cole challenged Democratic Senator and former state Delegate Mark Wills, who had been appointed to the post.

[6] Senator Shelley Moore Capito, state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Charleston Mayor Danny Jones and West Virginia's three congressmen all endorsed Cole,[7] essentially clearing the path for Cole to become the Republican nominee uncontested.