William Jonas Ely Sr. (December 29, 1911 – September 20, 2017) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army.

He was a 1933 graduate of the United States Military Academy and earned a master's degree in civil engineering from Cornell University in 1936.

He served during World War II with the United States Army, and was stationed in Australia, New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan.

[2] After his retirement, Ely, who was an avid golfer,[3] designed, constructed and operated the Double Dam Golf Course near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

[8] He completed his autobiography, "The Oldest Living Graduate", at 103 years of age and resided at a nursing home in Delray Beach, Florida.