William Henry Hicks (August 27, 1925 – September 3, 1987) was an American Democratic Party politician.

He had also served on the Paterson City Commission, becoming the first African-American president of that body.

Hicks served in the United States Naval Air Corps and worked as a car salesman.

He was chosen to serve as president of the commission and was the first African American to be the leader of the board.

In 1973, he was reelected to the Assembly in the new 35th Legislative District (encompassing Paterson, North Haledon and Hawthorne) alongside Democrat Vincent O. Pellecchia.