William Gardner Hewes III (born October 27, 1961) is an American Republican politician.

Hewes was born in New Iberia, Louisiana October 27, 1961 and moved to Gulfport, Mississippi, where he attended Harrison Central High School.

[2][5] Hewes was also the founding chairman of the Mississippi National Guard Legislative Caucus while in the Senate.

[6] As Senator, Hewes authored Mississippi’s Seller’s Disclosure Statement for Real Estate transactions,[7][8] as well as Mississippi’s Prepaid College Tuition Program (MPACT), and funding for the Lynn Meadows Children’s Museum.

[9][10] An advocate for business interests, he was engaged in Tort reform initiatives, as well as early efforts to change the State Flag.

[15] Hewes’s leadership was instrumental in the construction of the Mississippi Aquarium, the creation of the Harbor Lights Winter Festival,[16] and support of the emerging Blue Economy,[17] which is bringing a new maritime research and development component to the region’s economy.