William J. Warfield (7 Jun 1883 - 12 Feb 1966), was an officer in the Illinois National Guard and a state legislator in Illinois. He represented part of Chicago. He was elected in 1928 to represent the 5th District.
He was a Lieutenant in the Illinois National Guard deployed to the Mexican border and then to Europe during World War I where his black unit was deployed under French command because of segregation. He became a Brigadier General in the Illinois National Guard. He was a Republican. He died at 82 years old.
He was photographed with fellow black officers Otis B. Duncan and J. R. White.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
See also List of African-American officeholders (1900–1959)
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