William Eugene Stanley Sr. (December 28, 1844 – October 13, 1910) was an American lawyer and the 15th governor of Kansas.

Arriving in Jefferson County, Kansas, in 1870, Stanley opened his practice and taught school in Perry.

[2] In 1898, Stanley won the Republican gubernatorial nomination and upon winning the election, he was sworn in on January 9, 1899.

During his tenure, a US prison revolt at Fort Leavenworth and a 1901 convict strike were dealt with, a traveling library commission was authorized, and the state supreme court was increased to seven judges.

[3] After leaving office, he returned to Wichita and his law practice.