William F. Passannante (February 10, 1920 – December 15, 1996) was an American politician and attorney who served in the New York State Assembly from 1955 to 1990.

He was the baptismal godson of Tammany Hall boss Carmine De Sapio.

[2] After attending public schools, Passannante earned a Bachelor of Science from New York University in 1940.

He served in the United States Army during World War II and later earned a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.

[3] From 1949 to 1953, Passannante served as an assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.