William E. Coles Jr. (1932–2005) was an American novelist and professor.
Born in Summit, New Jersey, Coles earned degrees from Lehigh University, the University of Connecticut, the University of Minnesota.
From 1974 to 1998 he served as a professor and director of composition at the University of Pittsburgh.
Previously he taught at Amherst College and at Case Western Reserve University.
He was survived by his wife, Janet Kafka.