William Russell Walker (April 14, 1830 – March 11, 1905) was an American architect in practice in Providence, Rhode Island, from 1864 until his retirement in 1903.

From 1881 he was the senior partner of William R. Walker & Son, and during his lifetime was the most prolific architect of public buildings in Rhode Island.

[1] In 1857 Walker joined both the Freemasons and the Pawtucket Light Guard of the Rhode Island state militia, two organizations would have a dominant role in his later architectural career.

[1] Walker was a member of the committee which built the guard's Armory Hall (1859) on High Street in Pawtucket, the first building with which he is associated.

[2] In April 1861, shortly after the outbreak of the American Civil War, the Pawtucket Light Guard was designated Company E of the 1st Rhode Island Infantry, which was raised by Ambrose Burnside.

[1][5] Walker was closely associated with the Rhode Island state militia, Republican Party and masonic establishment.

He served two terms in the Rhode Island General Assembly and was a delegate to the 1888 Republican National Convention in Chicago, which nominated Benjamin Harrison for president.