William James Connell (July 6, 1846 – August 16, 1924) was an American Republican Party politician.

Born in Cowansville, Quebec, he immigrated with his family to Schroon Lake, New York in 1857 and then moved to Vermont in 1862.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1890, losing to William Jennings Bryan, the future Democratic nominee for President in 1896, 1900, and 1908, and future Secretary of State.

He died in Atlantic City, New Jersey on August 16, 1924, and is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Omaha.

His son, Dr. Karl Albert Connell, invented the gas mask used by American troops during World War I.