William Paterson, PC (September 19, 1839 – March 18, 1914) was a Canadian politician. Paterson was born in Hamilton, Upper Canada, the son of James and Martha Paterson. His parents died from cholera in 1849 and he was adopted by Reverend Dr. Ferrier, a Presbyterian minister. He was educated in Hamilton and Caledonia. He moved to Brantford and became a manufacturer of biscuits and confectionery (William Paterson Limited was sold to George Weston in 1928). He married Lucy Clive Davies in 1863. Paterson was deputy reeve of Brantford from 1869 to 1871 and mayor from 1872 to 1873.