William Joel Stone (May 7, 1848 – April 14, 1918) was a Democratic politician from Missouri who represented his state in the United States House of Representatives from 1885 to 1891, and in the U.S. Senate from 1903 until his death; he also served as the 28th Governor of Missouri from 1893 to 1897.

Later that year he moved to Nevada, Missouri, and continued his practice, becoming the Vernon County prosecuting attorney from 1873 to 1874 and was a presidential elector for the Democratic ticket in 1876.

In 1897, Stone moved to St. Louis, where he continued his practice; he returned to Jefferson City in 1903.

In this capacity, he was involved in disagreements with the Wilson administration concerning European policy before the U.S. entry into World War I.

Some of Stone's personal and official papers are archived at the State Historical Society of Missouri, where they are open to researchers.