Lieutenant William Thomas Ponder was an American World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.

[3] While with this unit, he used a Spad to down three German planes between 28 May and 11 August 1918; one of these victories was shared with Thomas Cassady.

He scored three more times in the month of October to become a flying ace; four of these victories were shared, including one with Frank O'Driscoll Hunter.

He was on a sales trip for his company when he died of a heart attack in a hotel room in Amarillo on 27 February 1947.

Having been separated from, his patrol, Lieutenant Ponder observed and went to the assistance of an allied plane which was being attacked by 30 of the enemy.

Lieutenant Ponder destroyed one enemy plane and so demoralized the remaining that both he and his comrade were able to return to their lines.